How does ADP Payroll work?

Updated September 2026.

A major deciding factor when purchasing checks is if you need ADP compatible check paper to complete your payroll. Businesses of all sizes need to complete payroll on a regular basis. Regardless of the size of your company, you may decide to work with ADP checks to process your payroll and print the checks in-house. As it should be with all financial matters, understanding the process, software and company you are working with are critical. In this article, we will explore what ADP is and some of the basic plans and options offered to each type of business.

What is ADP?

ADP is a company that provides payroll services to businesses of all sizes. Choose the tasks you want completed to free up your finance department for other projects. ADP can complete tasks such as payroll processing and payroll tax filing. Experience increased productivity and ensure paychecks are ready every payday with ADP payroll services.

Payroll for Small Businesses

A small business is a company that employs fewer than 50 people. ADP will collect your payroll data via phone data, online, or a mobile app and calculate payroll, payroll taxes, deliver paychecks to your office, or oversee direct deposits for payroll. If you choose to have ADP calculate payroll and print the paycheck in office, you will need to purchase ADP compatible checks and ADP check printing equipment. ADP check paper can be purchased in bulk here.

Payroll for Mid-Sized Businesses

A business is considered mid-sized if they employ between 50 and 999 employees. In addition to payroll processing and direct deposit, ADP’s services for midsize companies include management reporting, wage garnishment processing, and optional employee time off tracking. Similarly to payroll services for small businesses, checks can be printed in-house with the use of ADP blank checks.

Payroll for Large Businesses

A large business, a company with 1,000 or more employees on their payroll, has many options when signing on with ADP. Modern web-based solutions allow employees to update their personal information and payment options online. This self-service feature streamlines payroll for large corporations.

Selecting ADP Payroll Checks for your ADP check printing needs

Every company has options when it comes to processing their payroll, but printing payroll checks in-house is always a secure and convenient option. Whether you are a new company deciding on payroll options, or an established business eager to switch up their payroll process, StockChecks can help with all of your ADP check printing needs. We offer a variety of ADP compatible checks to cater to each company’s needs. Payroll is a breeze with ADP check paper from StockChecks.

How ADP Payroll Checks Are Printed

ADP calculates the payroll and produces the check output; your office prints it. ADP keeps that output consistent across its editions, from RUN Powered by ADP for small businesses to ADP Workforce Now for mid-market companies and ADP Vantage HCM for large enterprises, so the printed fields (pay date, employee name, net amount, and deductions) land in the same place whichever edition you use.

For in-house printing, the check is printed onto blank check stock. The sheets arrive with the security background and perforation already on the paper, but with no bank name, routing numbers, payee, or amount. Your printer adds all of that at print time, which is why one stock can serve several pay groups and bank accounts.

The bank line needs two extra pieces. A MICR add-on such as PrintBoss or ezCheckPrinting draws the routing and account characters, and a MICR toner cartridge prints them magnetically so bank equipment can read them.

The last variable is check position. ADP’s standard output is bottom position, with the check at the foot of the sheet and two stubs above it. Top position is used by companies that configured payroll years ago and never changed the template, so confirm your setting before you buy ADP check stock.

What an ADP Payroll Check Looks Like

In the standard layout, each 8.5" x 11" sheet holds one check and two detachable stubs, separated by micro-perforations so they tear apart cleanly.

• The check: the pay date, the employee’s name, the net amount, a signature line, and the MICR band with the routing and account numbers.
• The stubs: the earnings detail and deductions for the pay period. A voucher layout like this gives the employee a pay stub and gives the employer a record copy from the same sheet.
• The paper itself: a security background and a void pantograph that shows VOID on photocopies, printed on the stock before it reaches your printer.

Printing ADP Checks In-House: Quick Checklist

1. Confirm the check position selected in ADP (bottom is the standard output) matches the stock you bought.
2. Install a MICR toner cartridge and make sure your MICR add-on is set to print the routing and account line.
3. Load the sheets in the same tray orientation every run.
4. Print a single alignment sheet and check that the check body, signature line, and MICR band sit where they should before you release the batch.
5. After the run, reconcile the printed checks against the payroll register, then lock unused sheets away and keep a count of them.

Our ADP compatible check stock comes in both bottom and top positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print ADP payroll checks on a regular laser printer?

Yes. A standard laser printer prints the check details on blank stock. For the routing and account line, you also need a MICR toner cartridge and a MICR add-on such as PrintBoss or ezCheckPrinting.

Which check position does ADP use?

Bottom position is ADP’s standard output. If you are unsure, print one sheet of ADP output on plain paper and hold it against a blank check sheet: the check body, signature line, and MICR band should line up.

What envelopes work for mailing printed paychecks?

Standard #10 double window envelopes. Their window placements match ADP’s default layout, so the payee and return addresses show through the windows once the sheet is folded.