check-printing

Self-hosted web app for printing checks and bank deposit slips. A containerized Node.js web app accessible on the local network.

Stack

• Runtime: Node.js 20
• Framework: Express 4
• Database: SQLite via better-sqlite3
• PDF generation: PDFKit with embedded GnuMICR E-13B font (GPL-2.0)
• Frontend: Vanilla JS, no framework
• Container: Docker Compose pulling from Docker Hub

Getting started

Production (Docker)

docker compose pull
docker compose up -d

On first launch, the app detects no account is configured and opens a setup wizard in the browser. Fill in three steps — checkwriter info, bank info, and account/routing numbers — then start entering checks.

If you have an existing ezCheckPrinting .mdb file, click Import .mdb instead.

Development (local)

npm install
npm run dev        # nodemon src/app.js

Importing from ezCheckPrinting (.mdb)

Two ways to import:

Via the UI (recommended): Click Import .mdb in the toolbar, select the file, and click Import. The server runs the migration and shows the log output.

Via CLI (inside the container or locally with mdbtools installed):

docker exec -it check-printing node migrations/import-mdb.js \
  --file "/app/data/YourAccount.mdb"

# Preview without writing:
node migrations/import-mdb.js --file YourAccount.mdb --dry-run

The script imports account config (T100), logo (Settings), check layout (T200), and check history (T104).

Printing

1. Select 1–3 checks from the ledger (checkbox column)
2. Click Generate PDF
3. A 3-up 8.5"×11" PDF opens in a new tab — three 3.5" check slots per page
4. Print from the browser; checks are marked as printed in the ledger

Use the Reprint button on printed checks to regenerate without re-marking them.

Deposit slips

Switch to the Deposits tab in the toolbar to manage bank deposits.

1. Click + New Deposit to open the deposit entry panel
2. Enter the deposit date, currency, coin, and cash back amounts
3. Add each check being deposited (check number, payee, memo, amount) — totals update live
4. Click Save Deposit, then Deposit Slip or Report to generate a PDF

Deposit Slip generates a precisely positioned 3.375" × 8.5" PDF matching physical bank deposit slip stock, including:

• Style A background (form lines and labels drawn server-side — no preprinted stock required)
• Digit-column amount formatting
• Routing/account line in E-13B magnetic ink character recognition font, rotated 90°
• Rotated deposit total and check count in the left margin

Deposit Report generates a plain formatted ledger document listing all checks, cash totals, and the final deposit amount — suitable for filing.

Generating a deposit slip marks the deposit as printed in the ledger.

Check layout

• Page: 8.5" × 11", zero margins
• Three check slots of 3.5" each; remaining ~0.5" is tear-off strip
• MICR line at 0.267" from bottom of each slot
• MICR format: A{routing}A {account}C {checkNo}A (GnuMICR E-13B encoding)

Environment variables

The app has no required configuration. These are set in docker-compose.yml:

Variable	Default	Description
PORT	3000	HTTP port
DB_PATH	/app/data/check-printing.db	SQLite database path