MLS 2026 supports multiple printed check formats for:

•laser printers

•inkjet printers

•dot matrix printers

•continuous feed forms

The:

•Format

option under:

•Tools

is used to configure:

•check style

•print alignment

•spacing adjustments

Proper setup is important because:

⚠️ even small alignment errors can cause checks to print incorrectly on preprinted forms.

Opening the Check Format Settings

From the:

•Bank Services

screen:

1.Open:

oTools

2.Select:

oFormat

The setup window contains two primary settings:

•Type

•Spacing

Check Type

The Type setting selects the check layout format used by MLS 2026.

Enter the corresponding letter for the style you wish to use.

Supported Check Styles

Q = QuickBooks 9209T

•One check per sheet

•Designed for:

olaser printers

oinkjet printers

L = Generic Laser

•Standard laser printer format

•One check per page

N = NEBS 9025

•Compatible with NEBS 9025 forms

A = Legacy MasterLink Continuous Feed

•Original MasterLink Shop Writer 4 & 5 format

•7-inch continuous feed

•Check plus stub format

•Primarily used with dot matrix printers

Important Setup Recommendation

⚠️ Before printing on actual check stock:

Always print a test check on:

•plain paper

Then hold the printout against the actual check form to verify:

•alignment

•spacing

•field placement

This helps avoid:

•wasted check stock

•alignment errors

•printer setup problems

Spacing Adjustment

The:

•Spacing

setting controls vertical alignment between checks.

This is mainly used for:

•dot matrix printers

•continuous feed forms

Laser and inkjet formats usually print:

•one check per page

so spacing adjustment is generally unnecessary for those printers.

Understanding Vertical Spacing

Continuous-feed printers advance paper by line increments.

MLS 2026 allows you to adjust:

👉 how many lines the printer advances between checks.

This compensates for:

•printer differences

•paper variations

•form alignment issues

How to Adjust Spacing

Step 1 — Print Test Checks

Write and print a sample check using:

•plain paper

Step 2 — Reprint Additional Copies

Use:

•Check Editor → Reprint

to print:

•2 or 3 additional copies

Step 3 — Compare Against Actual Forms

Hold the printed paper against the real check forms.

Focus on alignment of:

•Pay To line

•Dollar amount

•Date

•Signature area

Step 4 — Measure the Difference

Determine whether printing is:

•too high

•too low

Understanding Line Measurements

MLS 2026 uses:

👉 6 print lines per vertical inch.

Examples:

1/2 inch misalignment

12 inch=36 lines=3 lines\frac{1}{2}\ inch = \frac{3}{6}\ lines = 3\ lines21 inch=63 lines=3 lines

Adjustment Rules

If printing is TOO LOW

👉 subtract spacing lines

If printing is TOO HIGH

👉 add spacing lines

Example Adjustment

Current spacing:

Print position:

1/2 inch too low

Correction:

13−3=1013 - 3 = 1013−3=10

New spacing value:

Retesting

After changing spacing:

1.Save the new setting

2.Reprint test checks

3.Compare alignment again

4.Repeat adjustments if necessary

Small refinements may be required for perfect alignment.

Helpful Tips

•Always test on plain paper first

•Keep a sample aligned check for reference

•Recheck alignment after changing printers

•Dot matrix printers usually require spacing adjustments

•Laser printers usually require little or no spacing tuning

Common Causes of Alignment Problems

•Different printer models

•Printer driver changes

•Incorrect paper feed

•Continuous form variations

•Margins changed in Windows printer setup

•Tractor-feed slippage on dot matrix printers

Recommended Companion Sections

This section works closely with:

•Writing Checks

•Editing / Reprinting Checks

•Bank Reconciliation

•Printer Setup

•Banking Troubleshooting

Together, these sections provide complete check printing and banking management within MLS 2026.

Check formats