Most employers use direct deposit, but there are times when you’ll need to pay employees with paper checks, especially if they don’t have a bank account or you’re paying someone temporarily.
Workstream Payroll gives you two options for handling paper checks and this list walks you through both options:
💡 Prepare before printing checks by making sure you’ve completed the following:
✓ Run payroll. You need to process a payroll run before checks will be available. Learn how to run payroll in Workstream.
✓ Check your permissions. You need the Manage payroll operations permission to download check data or print checks. If you don’t see the Payroll tab, contact your company’s Super Admin or HR lead for access.
✓ Decide how you’ll send paper checks.
FAQs: Print and mail checks
Q: Can I print checks on regular paper?
A: No. You must use check stock paper like DLT159. Regular paper won’t align properly and may not be accepted by banks.
Q: What check paper and envelopes should I use?
A: Use DLT159 (or DLT104) check paper, and #9 double-window envelopes so addresses show through the check.
Q: Do employees still get paystubs?
A: Yes. They’ll see them in the Workstream US app, even if you give them paper checks.
Q: Can Workstream mail the checks for me?
A: Not directly. But we partner with Checkeeper, a third-party service that prints and mails checks on your behalf.
Q: Is Checkeeper required?
A: No. It’s optional. Use it only if you want to skip printing and mailing checks yourself.
Q: I don’t see the “Print paper checks” or “Download paper check report” option. What should I do?
A: Make sure:
You’ve completed the payroll run
You have the necessary permission
You’re on the correct tax entity (click Change in the top-left if managing multiple)