Order Information

New from Artistic - Diane Knott's Americana

Photo Checks Printed in full Color From Unique Products - www.uniquechecks.com

Frequently Asked Questions:

To find the answer to your question, locate your question and click on the category in which it falls. If your question is not listed below, use our Contact page to e-mail us and we will respond promptly to your request.

Top of Page

General Ordering Questions
  1. How do I make sure my new Side Tear checks will include my bank's current specifications?
  2. What is an "MICR Specification Sheet"?
  3. Can I include driver's license number, phone number or other information on my checks?
  4. How do I submit my Order Form?
  5. How soon will I receive my order?
  6. How do I check my order's status?
  7. Is it OK to use a coupon?
  8. Why did my items arrive on different days?
  9. How do I get in touch with Side Tear Checks?
Online Ordering Questions
  1. How do I order online?
  2. What should I do if my computer is having trouble with the Side Tear website?
  3. Are all browsers compatible with ordering online from Side Tear?
  4. Will the colors on my screen match the actual products?
  5. How should I respond to an error message?
  6. What credit cards does Side Tear accept for online orders?
  7. Is it acceptable for the address on my checks to differ from my credit card billing address?
  8. Will Side Tear notify me when my online order has been received?
Questions About Quick Reorder:
  1. How do I place a Quick Reorder?
  2. I tried to place a Quick Reorder, but my previous order could not be found. Why?
  3. Why can't I see all of the information from my previous order?
  4. I want to place a reorder, but would like to pay by credit card. How can I do this?
  5. I want to reorder, but I need to make changes to my personalization. How can I do this?

Ordering By Mail Questions

  1. To place a new order by mail, what information do I send to Side Tear?
  2. How do I order checks by mail if my account is brand new?
  3. What do I send in if I've used all my checks?
  4. May I use a coupon with my mail order?
Product and Price Questions
  1. What check formats does Side Tear offer?
  2. Why doesn't Side Tear offer a check with the account holder(s) photograph on it?
  3. What is the difference between a First Time Customer and a Reorder Customer?
  4. How do I receive the Special Introductory Pricing?
Security Questions
  1. What security features for fraud protection will my checks include?
  2. Is it safe to order checks from a source other than my bank?
  3. Is ordering checks online safe?
Bank Comparison Questions
  1. Will I have a problem using checks not produced by my bank?
  2. Can the bank refuse to process my Side Tear checks?
  3. Why don't you print my bank's street address on my checks?
  4. How is Side Tear able to provide exclusive designs for less than plain bank checks?

Top of Page

General Ordering Questions

1. How do I make sure my new Side Tear checks will include my bank's current specifications?
Changes in banks' names and corporate alliances happen often. If you know your bank has experienced recent changes or if you just want to confirm the current status, call our Customer Service Team at 1-800-243-2577. Your bank's changes will probably already be included in our database. If not, we'll tell you how to get an MICR Specification Sheet. It's easy.
2. What is an "MICR Specification Sheet"?
An MICR Specification Sheet is a form that provides the proper numbers and spacing so your checks will scan correctly at your financial institution. Your local bank branch has all the details, and our Customer Service Team can walk you through the process: 1-800-243-2577.
3. Can I include driver's license number, phone number or other information on my checks?
Yes. On the Order Form, use the line marked "Other" in the Check Personalization section to include information in addition to name and address.
4. How do I submit my Order Form?
You have two options:
1) Print out the Order Form and send it through the mail to Side Tear Checks.
2) Transmit your order online via our SECURE server.
5. How soon will I receive my order?
Ship Method: From Date Order is Placed From Date Order is Shipped
DHL@Home 5-8 business days 2-7 business days
Standard Shipping
to Continental U.S.:		 2-4 weeks 5-10 business days
Standard Shipping
to AK, HI, VI, PR:		 3-4 weeks 10-15 business days
Expedited Delivery
to Continental U.S.:		 5-8 business days 2-5 business days
Expedited Delivery
to AK, HI, VI, PR:		 8-10 business days 5-7 business days
Premier Delivery Service
to Continental U.S.:		 5-8 business days 3-5 business days
Premier Delivery Service
to AK, HI, VI, PR:		 8-10 business days 5-7 business days
* Ship times are approximate. Please note that items are shipped in separate packages and may arrive separately. Please allow an appropriate amount of time for additional packages to arrive. If you need your checks in a hurry, see the Order Form's "Premier Delivery Service" which includes an In-Plant Rush. This service will considerably shorten the time it takes your order to arrive. Please refer to our order form for shipping options.
6. How do I check my order's status?
You can check the status of your order by clicking the "Order Status" bar on our website, or by calling toll-free 1-800-243-2577.
7. Is it OK to use a coupon?
If you are a first time customer and you have a printed advertisement with an Offer Code, you may enter that code during checkout to receive the pricing you see in the ad. This Offer Code is found in the order form section of your advertisement or brochure, and is located to the left of the subtotal line in a yellow box.
8. Why did my items arrive on different days?
Because each box of checks and accessory items are packaged separately, it is possible for your items to arrive on different days-even when they're shipped on the same day. All items in your order should arrive within a few days of each other. If they do not, please contact our Customer Service Team toll free at 1-800-243-2577.
9. How do I get in touch with Side Tear Checks?
The toll free line for our Customer Service Team is 1-800-243-2577. The department operates from 8am-10pm Monday through Friday, and 7am-5:30pm Saturday and Sunday, Central Time. You can also reach us by mail at P.O. Box 1000, Mabelvale, AR 72103-1001. And finally, you can e-mail us at service@Side Tearchecks.com.

Top of Page

Online Ordering Questions

1. How to Order Online?
  1. Select a product category from the left tab (checks, labels, etc.)
  2. Select a design
  3. Select which products from that design you would like to order (checks, checkbook cover, labels, etc.)
  4. Click on Add to My Order
  5. You can either proceed to Checkout (by clicking on Checkout) or continue shopping by selecting a product category.
2. What should I do if my computer is having trouble with the Side Tear website?
If your browser is a version older than 3.0, this is most likely the problem. The best solution is to upgrade your browser because you'll experience better performance with Side Tear's site and with others you visit.
3. Are all browsers compatible with ordering online from Side Tear?
Your web browser should be a version 3.0 or higher to place an order online with Side Tear Checks. Our site is optimized to work with both Internet Explorer and Netscape. In addition to a newer browser version, ordering online requires certain browser features to be enabled.
You must be enabled to accept cookies because we use cookies to hold information about your order. Javascript must also be enabled in your browser for you to access functions necessary to place your order. We also suggest that you set your browser to check for newer versions of stored pages every visit to the page.
4. Will the colors on my screen match the actual products?
The color of the actual product may be slightly different because color accuracy has more to do with your monitor than with our site. We've made every effort to represent images of checks and all other products accurately. Due to the wide range of computer monitors and color displays, however, you should consider the colors you see on your screen to be representational.
5. How should I respond to an error message?
If you get an error message, just resubmit your order at a later time.
6. What credit cards does Side Tear accept for online orders?
We accept VISA or MasterCard for orders placed through our online ordering system. When you place your order online, we will authorize your card for the purchase amount. Until we ship your order, however, we will not actually charge your credit card account.
7. Is it acceptable for the address on my checks to differ from my credit card billing address?
If your addresses are different, you will need to mail in your order. For your security, our online ordering system requires that the address printed on your checks and your credit card billing address be the same.
8. Will Side Tear notify me when my online order has been received?
Yes. First you will see an Order Confirmation Page as soon as you place your order. Immediately after the order transmits to us, you will receive an e-mail confirming your order.

Top of Page

Quick Reorder Information

1. How do I place a Quick Reorder?
Click the Quick Reorder button from the navigation bar on our site. On the Order lookup page, enter the routing number and account number printed on your checks, as well as your home zip code. That will enable us to retrieve your previous order and display it for you. You may choose to reorder the exact same item as before or make certain changes. For security reasons, we do not display all personalization information from your previous order. Payment for quick reorders can only be made by drafting the order total from your checking account.
2. I tried to place a Quick Reorder, but my previous order could not be found.
There could be a number of reasons why that happened. Please call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-243-2577 or use our regular online ordering process to place your order.
3. Why can't I see all of the information from my previous order?
As a security measure, your previous personalization, such as home address and bank information, will not be displayed. Reorders will be printed with the exact same personalization as the previous order and will be shipped to the same address as the previous order.
4. I want to place a reorder, but would like to pay by credit card. How can I do this?
To pay for your order by credit card, you must use our regular online ordering process or call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-243-2577 .
5. I want to reorder, but I need to make changes to my personalization. How can I do this?
To reorder with personalization changes, you must use our regular online ordering process or call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-243-2577 .

Top of Page

Ordering By Mail Questions

1. To place a new order by mail, what information do I send to Side Tear?
You need to send in the following items: Voided Check from your current supply, Deposit Slip (also from current supply), Completed Order Form, Payment Check made payable to Side Tear Checks.
2. How do I order checks by mail if my account is brand new?
Your bank will give you temporary checks when you open a new account. You can send in one temporary check that's voided and one temporary check for payment. Please be sure to send originals that are encoded with your bank's routing number and your account number.
3. What do I send in if I've used all my checks?
For our customers' protection, first time orders must include a voided check and a payment check from the same account. If you have run out of checks from your current supply, you can get temporary checks from your bank. You can send in one temporary check that's voided and one temporary check for payment. Please be sure to send originals that are encoded with your bank's routing number and your account number.
4. May I use a coupon with my mail order?
Yes. We can process Side Tear coupons for orders that are mailed in only.

Top of Page

Product and Price Questions      

1. What check formats does Side Tear offer?
Side Tear produces checks in four formats: One-Part, Duplicate, Side Tear and Desk Set.
One-Part Checks are the most traditional style-single checks that are bound together in a book. There are 150 One-Part checks in each box. All Side Tear designs are available in One-Part format.
Duplicate Checks are similar to One-Part Checks with one addition: each check is backed by carbonless copy. You simply fill out your check as usual, tear it out and you have an automatic copy of the check you just wrote. The instant copy makes keeping records easier than ever. Each box of Duplicates includes 150 checks. All designs are available in Duplicate format.
Desk Sets are three-to-a-page checks that include a side stub to record the details of each transaction. Rather than being bound into books, Desk Sets use a binder to keep the checks organized. Each box of includes 300 checks, and Side Tear gives you a free binder with your first order! Desk Sets are available ONLY for the designs with the Desk Set notation.
Side Tear Checks are single checks bound into books from the left side rather than from the top. Many people find them easier to remove or tear out than traditionally-bound checks. Side Tears are available ONLY for the designs with the Side Tear notation.
2. Why doesn't Side Tear offer a check with the account holder(s) photograph on it?
Placing identification photographs on checks may one day help reduce check fraud. However, technology has not yet made them foolproof, so the concept does not yet pass our strict security requirements. Side Tear uses proven security devices such as the lock icon and micro-security print.
3. What is the difference between a First Time Customer and a Reorder Customer?
To welcome them to the savings and convenience of ordering checks direct, people placing an order for the first time with Side Tear receive special low introductory pricing on personal checks. People who have already tried Side Tear and are placing a repeat order are valuable Reorder Customers and are eligible for reorder specials and offers. If you're not sure if you've ordered from Side Tear Checks in the past, just call our Customer Service Team toll free: 1-800-243-2577.
4. How do I receive the Special Introductory Pricing?
Our introductory offer is available to first-time customers only. If you have a printed advertisement and are a first-time customer you will be able to enter the Offer Code from your ad on the Order Review page (Step 2) of our checkout process. If you do not have a printed advertisement, enter Offer Code AWE203 to take advantage of our introductory prices.

Top of Page

Security Questions

1. What security features for fraud protection will my checks include?
The lock icon to the right of the word "Dollars" indicates the check contains security features to prevent and detect check fraud. Some of these features include: Micro-Security Print is very small print that will break up if someone attempts to photocopy your check. Chemical Protection and Erasure Protection produce stains or spots if someone tampers with your check. And the Security Screen on the back of each check signals an "Original Document" from a reproduction. Other features are not disclosed to provide even greater protection. All security features exceed financial industry requirements.
2. Is it safe to order checks from a source other than my bank?
Ordering your checks with Side Tear Checks is as safe as ordering from your bank. Your bank does not print their checks. In fact, they contract with a large national printer who will print your checks and then mail the order to your residence. With both methods, your checks are sent to you through the mail.
3. Is ordering checks online safe?
Side Tear's security measures are state of the art. To maintain the integrity of information exchanged through our online order system, we use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. SSL encrypts your order so it can be decoded only by Side Tear Checks. Think of how often you have left the check on a restaurant's table. Many times your name, credit card number and expiration date are in plain view. When ordering Side Tear Checks online, you can rest assured the information you transmit is seen only by us.

Top of Page

Bank Comparison Questions

1. Will I have a problem using checks not produced by my bank?
No. Actually, your bank does not produce the checks it sells you. Banks take orders and forward them to check printers. The printer produces the checks and then sends them to the account holder. Side Tear Checks and anyone else who prints financial products must adhere to very exact specifications. The difference is, when you order from Side Tear, you get much more selection for much less money.
2. Can the bank refuse to process my Side Tear checks?
Your bank wants you to order its checks so the bank will make a profit on your purchase. But banks cannot refuse to process your checks regardless of where you buy them. Side Tear must adhere to the same specifications as printers who produce checks for banks. Our checks meet or exceed all requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
3. Why don't you print my bank's street address on my checks?
We follow the specifications established by the American National Standards Institute. These standards require that the bank's name only be displayed.
4. How is Side Tear able to provide exclusive designs for less than plain bank checks?
Banks contract with printers, so the markup over cost must be high enough for the printer and the bank to make a profit. Side Tear designs checks specifically for our customers, and we can charge less because there's no one in the middle marking up prices. In other words, you're buying your checks directly from the manufacturer.