Toast Payroll: Use Self-Printed Paycheck Delivery

Last updated: Feb 1, 2026, 2:04 PM

Compare the differences between paycheck delivery options, discover how to choose an option, and find links for extra check stock.

These methods only apply to employees who do not receive direct deposit or use Toast Pay Cards and would instead receive a paper check. If an employee signs up for direct deposit, they will receive their funds electronically regardless of which method is chosen.

 

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Payroll Delivery Option Comparison

Toast offers three different options to pay employees who choose to receive a paper check. You may choose self-printed, self-written, or Toast-printed. If an employee is signed up for direct deposit, they will receive their funds electronically regardless of which method is chosen.

 

Note: Making a selection here does not affect Form W-2 or other document printing options.


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Sign Up for Self-Printed Paycheck Delivery

To sign up for self-printed paycheck delivery, navigate to Settings > Payroll > Paycheck Delivery to select your preference. This is a company-wide setting that is typically set once and left alone. See Toast Payroll: Review Paycheck Delivery Options for more details.


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Steps to Self-Printed Paycheck Delivery

Want to print a sample check to test out your printer settings? Use this file for practice.

 

  1. Post payroll as normal.
  2. Within a few minutes of posting payroll, the paper check file(s) containing all the checks to print will be available on the confirmation page.
  3. Select Download paper checks to access the file. Use the audit trail below the button to check if the check file has already been downloaded.

    Review and Submit step of payroll with a paper checks file available

  4. Make sure check stock is loaded into your printer.
  5. Open your paper check file in a PDF viewer. If you need PDF viewer software, Toast Payroll recommends Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download it for free here.
  6. Using Adobe Acrobat Reader, select File > Print.
  7. In the Print Settings window, ensure that your Page Sizing is set to Fit or Fit to Printable Area (language may differ in your print settings). Checks should be printed in a Portrait orientation and "Print on both sides" should be disabled.

    Adobe Acrobat print settings for paychecks

  8. Select Print.
  9. Here are two examples of what the finished product may look like (check color may vary).
    1. If you do not see pay stubs attached to your paychecks, you can request this by selecting the blue chat dot in the lower-right corner of any Toast Payroll page. In cases where a paystub is not present, but one is needed, electronic copies can be found and printed from an employee's profile. Learn more by viewing Toast Payroll: View Your Paystub or Timesheet.

      Color image of a check example

      Black-and-white image of a check example

  10. Review checks to ensure they are properly formatted and the bank information is above the perforation. The bank information should appear in MICR font as seen below.
    1. If a paycheck is rejected by an employee's bank, it may be due to several factors, including the business account and/or routing number possibly being incorrect. If that's the case, fill out a New Bank Account Form and submit via the blue dot in the lower-right corner of any Toast Payroll page.

      MICR bank font

  11. Ensure that only one copy of each check is available for employees. Checks are popularly distributed by physically handing checks out at your location or by mailing them to the employee's address in the Toast Payroll system as needed.
  12. If you plan to mail any paychecks, you can use this recommended envelope from Staples.
 

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Ordering Check Stock

Toast Payroll recommends a few different types and amounts of check stock packages. Check out the following links:

 


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This content is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal, tax, HR, or any other professional advice. Please contact an attorney or other professional for advice.