Personal Check Formats - How to Decide on The Perfect Check Style

When you think of your personal checking account you might think of the decision that you have to make on what style to pick out for a background. Other decisions that you need to make are the format of your checks. Check printing companies offer many Personal Check Formats when you get your checks printed. Even when you order cheap checks you will have a wide choice of formats.

Wallet checks

- single (generally 100) or duplicate (normally 100) checks in a top tear format.

Duplicate Checks

- a carbonless copy paper per check provides an automatic copy of the checks as they are written. Useful if you never get around to updating your check register. You can look through the copies and catch up.

Top Tear Checks

- the checks are attached to the checkbook at the top and are torn at the top. These are the normal style of checks, available in single or duplicate styles.

Top Stub Checks

- top tear checks that leave a record stub for writing transaction details. The stub information can replace a check register or be an aid in filling out the check register.

Side Tear Checks

- the checks are torn from the left of the checkbook. Some people find the shorter tear length makes this type of check easier to tear off.

End Stub Checks

- side tear checks that leave a record stub. This style of check is the one I actually like most myself, however they are not so easy to find from major check suppliers.

Single Checks

- wallet checks that do not have duplicates. These could be side tear or top tear.

Desk-Set Checks

- These checks are printed three to a page and can be placed in a binder for easy reference. Not designed for portability, but for use, as the name implies, at a desk or work area.
This table provides details of the personal checks formats and the minimum quantity per box for various check printers.

Personal Checks Formats And Styles

SupplierSingleDuplicateSide TearSide Tear DuplicateTop StubEnd StubDesk Sets
Check Gallery100100
Checks Unlimited100100100100300+
Designer Checks100100100100300+
Checks On Sale100100300+
Carousel Checks100100150300+
Message Products100100
Extra Value Checks100100150300+
Styles Checks100100120
Last Updated: October 20, 2021
Please use this table as a rough guide, some details may have changed since we last updated it.

Single vs Duplicate

Many people may choose to have single copy checks while others may prefer duplicates.

A duplicate check includes a carbonless copy of your check with each check printed. You can save these copies and use them to transfer the amounts into your register.

Most duplicate checks come with 100 checks per box. When you choose single copy checks you get about 100 checks per box.

Of course, the final word in the single vs duplicate checks debate - duplicates cost more. Not very much more, but it's noticable.

Top Tear vs Side Tear

Other options for Personal Checks are top tear and side tear checks. You may have an established preference and it's working for you, it's best to stick with it.

Some ladies wallets include a check sleeve. These may be side tear style openings or some have top tear openings.

The only difference here may be that you have less of the check to tear.

For What it's worth the newer check format is the side tear check.

Top Stub

Some check printers offer top stub check style personal checks. Not all check printers offer this style format. It does make the checks more bulky, but it can it can simplify using a check register.

You can see the stub from each check where, hopefully, you have recorded the transaction. Then later you can record in your own check register.

If you keep your check register up to date on a daily basis you may not need any type of stub. But most of us can do with a prompt from the stub when doing weekly record keeping.

This can save you time while checking out at the check out line as well. These check stubs from the top stub checks look like a mini check register for each check.

No matter which of the many check formats you chose, there are many options to choose from. There are check styles with image options like your college team to Mickey Mouse or kittens.