Table of Contents

  1. Why Timing Matters When Ordering Checks
  2. Understanding the Annual Sale Cycle
  3. New Year Sales (January)
  4. Spring Promotions (March–April)
  5. Summer Deals (June–July)
  6. Back-to-School (August–September)
  7. Black Friday & Cyber Monday (November)
  8. Holiday Sales (December)
  9. Building a Year-Round Savings Strategy
  10. Conclusion

Why Timing Matters When Ordering Checks

Most people order checks only when they're running low, paying whatever price is current at that moment. But like many retail products, checks follow predictable sale cycles throughout the year, and timing your order to coincide with a major promotion can save you 30% to 50% or more. If you can plan ahead even slightly — ordering before you're down to your last few checks — you gain the flexibility to wait for the best deals. This guide maps out the annual sale calendar and shows you exactly when to place your order for maximum savings.

Calendar showing seasonal check sale periods

Timing your check order around seasonal sales can cut your cost in half.

Understanding the Annual Sale Cycle

Checks Unlimited, like most major retailers, runs sales on a predictable annual cycle tied to major holidays and shopping seasons. While the exact discount percentages vary from year to year, the timing of these sales is remarkably consistent. Here's an overview of the major sale periods:

Sale PeriodTimingTypical DiscountBest For
New Year SaleJanuaryUp to 40% offAnnual supply, new designs
Spring PromotionMarch–April25–35% + free shippingPersonal checks, accessories
Summer SaleJune–JulyBOGO, 30% offDuplicate checks, bulk
Back-to-SchoolAugust–September20–30% offBusiness checks
Black Friday / Cyber MondayNovemberUp to 50% offEverything — best deals
Holiday SaleDecember30–40% + free giftsGift sets, accessories

New Year Sales (January)

January is one of the best months to order checks. The New Year sale typically offers up to 40% off sitewide, and it's an ideal time to stock up on your annual check supply. Many customers use January to try a new design — the start of a new year feels like a natural time for a fresh look. The January sale often includes free shipping on orders over a certain threshold, making it especially valuable for multi-box orders. If you only order checks once a year, January is one of the two best months to do it.

Spring Promotions (March–April)

The spring sale typically runs from mid-March through April and features discounts in the 25–35% range, often combined with free shipping. This sale is a good time to order personal checks and matching accessories — checkbook covers, address labels, and stamps are frequently included in the promotion. Spring is also when Checks Unlimited often introduces new seasonal designs, so if you want the latest patterns, this is a good time to browse. The spring sale isn't as deep as Black Friday, but it's a solid discount and comes at a convenient time for mid-year reorders.

Summer Deals (June–July)

Summer promotions often feature buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers or 30% off discounts. BOGO deals are particularly valuable if you write a lot of checks — effectively halving your per-box cost. The summer sale is also a good time to order duplicate checks, which are often included in the promotion. If you've been considering switching from single to duplicate checks, the summer BOGO sale is the most cost-effective time to make the switch. Summer sales sometimes include flash promotions lasting only 48–72 hours, so subscribe to the newsletter to receive advance notice.

Back-to-School (August–September)

The back-to-school period in August and September is an excellent time to order business checks. While the discounts (20–30%) aren't as deep as Black Friday, this sale specifically targets business customers with promotions on voucher checks, deskbook checks, and 3-per-page checks for accounting software. If you run a business and use QuickBooks or Quicken, this is a smart time to stock up on software-compatible checks. The back-to-school sale also frequently includes discounts on business check accessories like deposit stamps and endorsement stamps.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday (November)

Black Friday and Cyber Monday represent the single best opportunity of the year to save on checks. Discounts can reach 50% off or more, and the promotions often extend through the entire Thanksgiving weekend into Cyber Week. This is the time to order your largest supply — a four-box order at 50% off yields the lowest per-check price you'll find all year. If you have the storage space and write checks regularly, consider ordering a full year's supply during Black Friday. The deals apply to checks, accessories, and add-ons alike, so it's also the best time to purchase matching covers, labels, and stamps.

Pro tip: Black Friday check deals often sell out of popular designs. If you have your eye on a specific design, check the site early on Black Friday morning. Some retailers offer early access to newsletter subscribers, so sign up in advance to get a head start.

Holiday Sales (December)

The December holiday sale typically offers 30–40% off plus free gifts with purchase. This sale is ideal for ordering gift checkbook sets — coordinated packages of checks, a cover, and accessories that make excellent gifts for family members who still write checks. The free gift promotions during December often include a complimentary checkbook cover or address label set with qualifying orders. If you missed Black Friday, the December sale is your second-best opportunity for end-of-year savings.

Building a Year-Round Savings Strategy

To maximize your savings throughout the year, follow this simple strategy:

  1. Estimate your annual check usage. How many checks do you write per month? Multiply by 12 to get your annual need, then add a 20% buffer.
  2. Place your largest order during Black Friday or the New Year sale. These offer the deepest discounts. Order enough to last six months to a year.
  3. Use mid-year sales for smaller top-up orders. If you run low between major sales, the spring or summer promotions offer respectable discounts for smaller orders.
  4. Subscribe to the newsletter. You'll receive exclusive coupon codes, flash sale notifications, and early access to major promotions.
  5. Always check for coupon codes. Even outside of major sale periods, there are almost always active promo codes. Check our Coupons & Deals page before every order.
  6. Order before you're desperate. If you wait until you're on your last check, you lose the flexibility to wait for a sale. Order when you have 20–30 checks remaining so you can time your purchase strategically.

Conclusion

Timing your check orders around seasonal sales is one of the simplest ways to save money on a product you need anyway. By understanding the annual sale cycle — New Year discounts in January, spring promotions, summer BOGO deals, back-to-school business check sales, Black Friday's deepest discounts, and December holiday offers — you can cut your check ordering costs by 30% to 50% or more. The key is planning ahead: estimate your annual usage, place your largest order during the biggest sale, and always check for coupon codes before completing checkout. With a little strategy, you'll never pay full price for checks again.

Ready to save on your next check order? Visit Checks Unlimited →