Pay your team by check and learn how to print them

Admins can pay team members by check and then print and distribute them. Some customers can also have Gusto mail the checks.*

*Only some early-access customers can use Gusto’s check mailing. Mailed checks can take up to 8 business days to arrive after payday.

If your employee or contractor normally gets paid by direct deposit, you can still choose to pay them by check when you run payroll (for employees) or send a payment (for contractors).

Important reminders

Gusto will take care of withholding and paying taxes, but you must give out the check yourself (unless you're in the check-mailing beta).
The company address printed on the check is the one you entered as your “filing address” in Gusto.
You can print checks on two kinds of paper. Both include pay details (earnings statement):
- Top (Gusto check stock)
- Bottom (blank check stock)
  - Note: If you verified your bank using Plaid, you cannot use the blank check stock. You’ll need to use “Top (Gusto check stock)” or manually verify your bank. Plaid hides (encrypts) account numbers, so they will not print on blank check stock.
You can pay people the same day you run payroll if you pay them by check and print them on your own. The formal check date on the payment in Gusto will only be the same day if all team members on the payroll are paid by check.
- If anyone is paid by direct deposit, the check date in Gusto will be the date those employees get their pay (even if you handed out physical checks earlier).

Use the dropdowns below to learn more. To search for words on this page, press CMD + F (Mac) or CTRL + F (Windows).

Set the default payment method to check for a team member

You can set a team member’s default payment method to check. It will stay that way until they add a bank account to their profile.

If they already have bank accounts added, you'll need to remove those first to make check the default again. If you do not want to remove the bank account, you can change their payment method to check for just one payroll—learn how below in this article.

Set the default payment method to check (by removing active bank accounts)

Go to the People section.
Click the on the team member's name.
From the Pay tab, scroll to the “Payment Methods” headline.
Click edit next to any bank account, scroll down, and click Remove account at the bottom of the page.
- If you do not have this option, you may not have the required permissions. The team member can also manage their own bank info (including removing their bank account).
Repeat this for any active bank accounts.

Pay by check for one payroll or payment

When you update a payment method while processing a payroll or payment, it only applies to that payroll. Future payrolls will populate with the team member's default payment method.

Change an employee's payment to check for one payroll

Go to the Pay section and click Run payroll.
Click into the payroll you want to run (regular, off-cycle, bonus, etc).
Next to the person's name, find the "Pay by" info and click Direct Deposit until it changes to Check.
- If you want to change multiple people at once, use the bulk edit tool.
- You can switch it back to direct deposit the same way.

At the end of the payroll (after you click Submit) you’ll choose how to deliver the checks. Print them yourself or, if you're in the beta, have Gusto mail them.

Change a contractor payment to check for one payment

Go to the Pay section and click Pay contractors.
Under "Pay US based contractors" click New Payment.
Select the pay date.
Click +Enter payment.
Next to the person's name, find the "Pay by" info and click Direct Deposit until it changes to Check.
- You can switch it back to direct deposit the same way.

Just like with employees, you’ll choose how to send checks at the end—print it or (if you're in the beta) have Gusto mail it.

After you've submitted the payment, you’ll choose how to deliver the checks. Print them yourself or, if you're in the beta, have Gusto mail them.

Print and distribute checks on your own—checks include earning statement

If you're paying any teammates by check, you'll need to print and distribute them on your own (unless you're part of Gusto's check-mailing beta).

You can print checks at the end of a payroll run, or do it later.

Print checks at the end of a payroll run

At the end of payroll, if you're paying teammates by check, you'll choose how to distribute their checks.

At the end of a payroll run, after you click Submit payroll, the "Print checks" page pops out.
- If available, you can join Gusto's check mailing beta, or learn more.
Review who needs checks, and what the payment should be.
Choose a printing format (type of check stock):
- Top (Gusto check stock)
  - Choose if you have Gusto check stock that is pre-printed with your company and bank info.
  - Learn how to buy Gusto's check stock below in this article.
- Bottom (blank check stock)
  - Choose if you have blank check stock and need Gusto to populate your company and bank info.
    - Heads up: You will not be able to use this check type if you've verified your bank using instant bank verification (Plaid)—account numbers are encrypted and will not print to this type of check. Use “Top (Gusto check stock)”, or manually verify your bank.
  - You’ll be asked to enter the first check number—this is optional.
Click Print checks to view the PDF that contains the check information and earnings statement.
- For Bottom (blank check stock): Save the PDF—check numbers will change if the package is regenerated.
- To avoid printing issues, unselect the option for "Fit to Page" or "Scale to Page" (it’s sometimes selected by default).
Load your check stock into your printer.
Print this PDF on your check stock.
Sign the checks and deliver them to your employees with their paystubs.

Print checks from a past employee payroll

Click the Pay section and select Pay history.
Click the payday you need.
On the summary page, clicke the What the team takes home dropdown.
Scroll to the second table of details, it should have a "Net pay” column on the right—click Print Checks at the bottom of that column.
Review the pre-existing check delivery methods set for each person.
For those you still need to print checks for, scroll down the page and click Print checks.
- Scroll to view the remaining checks you said you'd print yourself.
Choose a printing format (type of check stock):
- Top (Gusto check stock)
  - Choose if you have Gusto check stock that is pre-printed with your company and bank info.
  - Learn how to buy Gusto's check stock below in this article.
- Bottom (blank check stock)
  - Choose if you have blank check stock and need Gusto to populate your company and bank info.
    - Heads up: You will not be able to use this check type if you've verified your bank using instant bank verification (Plaid)—account numbers are encrypted and will not print to this type of check. Use “Top (Gusto check stock)”, or manually verify your bank.
  - You’ll be asked to enter the first check number—this is optional.
Click View printable checks to view the PDF that contains the check information and earnings statement.
- For Bottom (blank check stock): Save the PDF—check numbers will change if the package is regenerated.
- To avoid printing issues, unselect the option for "Fit to Page" or "Scale to Page" (it’s sometimes selected by default).
Load your check stock into your printer and print the PDF onto it.
Sign the checks and deliver them to your employees with their paystubs.

Print checks from a past contractor payment (to a US contractor)

Go to the Pay section and click Pay history.
Click the US contractors tab.
Click the Payday.
Scroll the bottom of contractor payments summary page, and click Print Checks.
Choose your printing format for the checks you’re handling on your own:
- Top (Gusto check stock)
  - Choose if you have Gusto check stock that is pre-printed with your company and bank info.
  - Learn how to buy Gusto's check stock below in this article.
- Bottom (blank check stock)
  - Choose if you have blank check stock and need Gusto to populate your company and bank info.
    - Heads up: You will not be able to use this check type if you've verified your bank using instant bank verification (Plaid)—account numbers are encrypted and will not print to this type of check. Use “Top (Gusto check stock)”, or manually verify your bank.
  - You’ll be asked to enter the first check number—this is optional.
Click View printable checks to view the PDF that contains the check information and earnings statement.
- For Bottom (blank check stock): Save the PDF—check numbers will change if the package is regenerated.
- To avoid printing issues, unselect the option for "Fit to Page" or "Scale to Page" (it’s sometimes selected by default).
Load your check stock into your printer and print the PDF onto it.
Sign the checks and deliver them to your US contractors.

Have Gusto mail checks for me—for early access beta customers

Gusto can print and mail your team's paychecks. Check mailing is free while in it’s beta. We’ll waive the service fee while you’re testing out this new feature.

Gusto check mailing is only available for customers in our early-access check mailing beta. Companies with a Chase/JP Morgan bank account cannot participate in the beta.

How it works

You’ll select the team members you’d like us to regularly mail checks to
Your team will get their paychecks within 5-8 business days via first class mail
We’ll add any check mailing fees to your monthly invoice

Check printing reminders

Funds
- Checks use your company’s default bank account in Gusto. Money is taken out of your bank account when the check is cashed.
Electronic signature
- We'll use an e-signature based on the signer's name. You cannot upload an image of your own signature.
Check with your bank
- Some banks do not accept printed checks or may flag them as fraud. Let your bank know you’ll be using a check printing service.

Join the beta on your Pay settings page

Go to Pay and click Pay settings.
Under "General", find the "Check mailing" section and click Join the beta.
- If you do not see this, the check mailing beta is not available to you right now.
Learn about how check mailing works, and click Continue.
- By selecting “Continue” you’re agreeing to the Gusto Terms of Service.
Let us know who should regularly get checks mailed to them. You can always change this when you run payroll, if needed.
Click Continue.
Enter the first and last name of the signatory. We'll use this as your e-signature on the paychecks.
Check the box to confirm that the person is an authorized signatory, and can sign and verify checks sent to employees and contractors.
Click Complete set up.

At the end of your next payroll run, you'll see the option to choose how checks are distributed (by the company, or Gusto).

Join the beta at the end of a payroll run

At least one of your employees must be being paid by check for the Print checks page, and this beta, to appear.

At the end of a payroll run, after you click Submit payroll, the "Print checks" page pops out.
In the banner titled "Gusto can now mail checks for you", click Join the beta.
- If you do not see this, the check mailing beta is not available to you right now.
Learn about how check mailing works, and click Continue.
- By selecting “Continue” you’re agreeing to the Gusto Terms of Service.
Let us know who should regularly get checks mailed to them. You can always change this when you run payroll, if needed.
Click Continue.
Enter the first and last name of the signatory. We'll use this as your e-signature on the paychecks.
Check the box to confirm that the person is an authorized signatory, and can sign and verify checks sent to employees and contractors.
Click Complete set up.
Decide how you want to distribute checks for the current payroll run—confirm that the information look right and review the estimated delivery date for checks mailed by Gusto.
- If you need to change who is distributing one or more checks, click the dropdown to update it to the company, or Gusto.
Click Confirm.
- Gusto will mail checks to the members of your team you selected, and you’ll print and distribute any others needed. You can also do this later from the “Employee hours and earnings” section of this payroll in your payroll history.
Review the debit amount for Gusto's checks and the estimated delivery date of them.
If you're printing any checks on your own, choose the printing format (type of check stock) and click Print checks. Or, click Done.

Edit the team members defaulted to check mailing

Go to Pay and click Pay settings.
Under "General", find the "Check mailing" section.
Next to "Default team members" click Edit.
Update who gets checks mailed, and click Save.

Change the check-mailing signatory

Go to Pay and click Pay settings.
Under "General", find the "Check mailing" section.
Next to "Signatory" click Edit.
Update the signatory and click Save.

Leave the check mailing beta

Go to Pay and click Pay settings.
Under "General", find the "Check mailing" section and click Leave the beta.
- Your current check mailing settings will not be saved for future use.
If you're sure you want to leave the beta, click Yes, leave the beta.

Give feedback about the check mailing beta

Use the following form to give us feedback about Gusto's check mailing service.

Types of check stock supported by Gusto and where to buy them

Gusto supports printing checks on two types of check stock, and both will include the employee's pay details (earnings statement):

Bottom (blank check stock)
Top (Gusto check stock)

Learn more about each below.

Bottom (blank check stock)

Best for people (e.g, accountants) with multiple companies who want to use one kind of check paper for all:

Gusto fills in your company and bank info for you.
Gusto also creates the check numbers—learn more about how check numbers get generated below.
The check is at the bottom of the PDF.
Only use this type if you did NOT connect your bank with Plaid (Plaid hides account numbers and they will not print).
- If you have, use the other check stock, or manually verify your bank instead.

Buy blank check stock (that Gusto recommends)

We recommend purchasing a specific blank check stock for compatibility with our PDF format.

Go to the Compuchecks website.
Scroll to the third option, Check on Bottom.
Click Add to Cart and check out.

Check numbers

We'll generate a new PDF of the checks (with new check numbers), each time you click Print checks in Gusto:

The first time you download a check PDF, it starts with check number 0001.
Each time you re-download, the number goes up by one.
- Example: If your first PDF has 4 checks (0001–0004), the next PDF will start at 0005.

We use this method to avoid printing multiple checks with the same check number.

Top (Gusto check stock)

Best for people who have check stock that already has your company and bank info printed on it:

Check numbers will already be on the custom check stock you purchased
The check is at the top of the PDF.
More customizable

Buy Gusto check stock at 15% off

We recommend purchasing Gusto check stock—a custom check stock—and envelopes for compatibility with our PDF format.

Go to the Compuchecks website.
In Step 1, pick your color and pattern.
In Step 2, under "check style", click the tab by Software
Find and select Gusto Software.
Finish your order and Add Order to Shopping Cart.
Use code Gusto1523 at checkout to get 15% off.

Buy envelopes compatible with Gusto check stock

Go to the Compuchecks website.
Choose #9 standard double window envelopes.
Click Add to Cart.
Use code Gusto1523 at checkout to get 15% off.