Bradford Exchange Checks

What Bradford Exchange Checks does

Bradford Exchange Checks is a privately held, direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer headquartered at 9305 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois, specializing in personalized personal and business checks sold under the broader Bradford Exchange brand. Its catalog spans 495+ check designs built around licensed artwork from Disney, Major League Baseball (30 teams), Peanuts Worldwide, Thomas Kinkade, and Lena Liu, alongside themes spanning patriotic, wildlife, scenic, inspirational, lifestyle, and solid/pattern categories. The site operates as the primary sales channel, supplemented by phone ordering (1-866-285-2334), fax ordering (1-877-272-3367), email newsletter capture, SMS marketing (Text CHECKS to 80742), and a catalog/mail heritage.

The product platform is built around a custom check printing and fulfillment workflow with ANSI-compliant security standards and an optional EZShield/EZShield PRO fraud protection and identity restoration add-on. Around the core check line, the company has constructed a coordinated accessory ecosystem that includes checkbook covers (standard and zippered wallets), address labels, deposit tickets and registers, and PSA Essentials personalized stamps, and has extended into lifestyle categories such as fashion accessories and gifts, stationery, holiday products, pet accessories, and home and office décor. A separate sub-brand, Bradford Online Collectibles (bradfordexchange.com), extends the offering into collectibles and jewelry.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time purchases of personal checks, business checks, and accessories, with a small recurring component from the EZShield subscription add-on at $2.99. The customer base is split between individual consumers (primary segment) and small-business/enterprise buyers needing laser, manual, and high-security business checks. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but is marketed as up to 70% cheaper than bank-supplied checks. The company ships within the continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and military addresses) and was recognized as one of America's Top Online Shops 2024 by USA Today and Plant-A Insights Group.

Name

Bradford Exchange Checks

Legal name

Bradford Exchange Checks

Website

https://bradfordexchangechecks.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bradford Exchange Checks is a US direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer of personalized personal and business checks, offering 495+ designs under licensed partnerships with Disney, MLB, Peanuts, Thomas Kinkade, and Lena Liu, plus coordinated check accessories, stamps, and lifestyle gift products sold primarily through its website.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Niles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Personal Check Sales: One-time purchase of personal checks in various quantities. Standard packs and mini-packs available. Revenue from individual transactions.
2. Business Check Sales: Business checks including laser checks, manual business checks, and high security business checks for business customers.
3. Check Accessories: Sale of coordinating products including checkbook covers, address labels, deposit tickets, registers, and stamps.
4. Personal Accessories & Gifts: Fashion accessories, cosmetic bags, keychains, luggage tags, passport covers, phone stands, totes, holiday products, stationery, and pet accessories featuring licensed artwork.
5. EZShield Protection Services: Optional check fraud protection programs (EZShield at $2.99 and EZShield PRO) offered as add-on services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Bradford Exchange Checks designs, prints, and sells personalized personal and business checks in more than 495 themed designs through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform. The offering is extended by coordinating check accessories (address labels, checkbook covers, deposit tickets, registers), personalized stamps, and themed lifestyle and gift products, with optional EZShield check fraud protection and identity restoration services.

Product overview

Bradford Exchange Checks operates as an e-commerce platform specializing in personalized checks and complementary accessories. The core product portfolio centers on Personal Checks offered in over 495 distinct designs (including Disney, Thomas Kinkade, MLB teams, wildlife, patriotic, inspirational, and lifestyle themes) in both single and duplicate formats, along with Business Checks and High Security Checks meeting ANSI standards. The platform offers a coordinated accessory ecosystem including Address Labels, Checkbook Covers (standard and zippered wallets), Deposit Tickets & Registers, and Personalized Stamps featuring PSA Essentials self-inking stamps. A lifestyle extension includes Fashion Accessories & Gifts (cosmetic bags, keychains, luggage tags, passport covers, phone stands, totes), Stationery Products, Holiday Products, Pet Accessories, and Home & Office Décor. Add-on services include EZShield and EZShield PRO fraud protection programs. Business-oriented offerings encompass Promotional Products, Computer Laser Checks, Manual Business Checks, and Business Supplies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bradford Online Collectibles: A related site operated by the company offering collectibles and jewelry products.

Products and services

• Personal Checks Personalized bank checks available in over 495 designs featuring Disney, MLB sports teams, Thomas Kinkade artwork, nature, patriotic, inspirational, and wildlife themes; offered in single and duplicate formats for individual consumer banking customers.
• Business Checks Business-oriented check products including Computer Laser Checks, Manual Business Checks, and High Security Checks designed for business use and meeting ANSI standards.
• High Security Checks Premium personal checks with enhanced security features exceeding bank security standards while meeting ANSI requirements, including styles such as 5th Avenue, Blue, Parchment, Platinum, and themed variants.
• Check Mini Packs Smaller 25-pack check sets featuring themed designs such as Footprints In the Sand, Calacatta, Spirit of the Wilderness, Mountains, and Basic Colors, intended for customers wanting variety or trial sizes.
• Address Labels Coordinating address labels designed to match personal check designs so customers can complete a themed look across their check accessories.
• Checkbook Covers Protective checkbook covers available in standard styles with designs coordinated to personal check collections.
• Zippered Checkbook Cover Wallet Premium zippered checkbook cover wallet offering enhanced protection for checks and checkbook with secure closure.
• Deposit Tickets & Registers Banking supplies including deposit tickets and registers for tracking account transactions.
• Personalized Stamps (PSA Essentials) Self-inking personalized stamps for addressing envelopes, featuring switchable centers and multiple ink color options, supplied by PSA Essentials.
• Fashion Accessories & Gifts Personal accessories featuring themed artwork including cosmetic bags, keychains, luggage tags, passport covers, phone stands, and totes, coordinated with check designs.
• Stationery Products Writing and correspondence products complementing the themed check collections.
• Holiday Products Seasonal and holiday-themed products featuring various artwork designs for gifting occasions.
• Pet Accessories Pet-themed personal accessories featuring artwork coordinated with check designs.
• Home & Office Décor Decorative items for home and office featuring themed artwork from the Bradford collection.
• EZShield Check Fraud Protection Program Fraud protection service providing check fraud coverage for purchased checks, with additional identity protection benefits.
• EZShield PRO Identity Restoration Enhanced identity restoration service combined with check fraud protection, offering identity theft restoration support.
• Promotional Products and Business Checks Line Custom promotional products and business-oriented check offerings including Computer Laser Checks, Manual Business Checks, High Security Checks, Promotional Products, and Business Supplies for business banking customers.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EZShieldcoreTechnology or IntegrationEZShield provides check fraud protection services (EZShield and EZShield PRO) to customers purchasing checks. EZShield PRO adds identity restoration services. This is a service provider partnership offering security features as add-on purchases.
• DMA (Direct Marketing Association)minorOthersBradford Exchange Checks is a member of the DMA, demonstrating adherence to direct marketing industry standards and best practices.
• DisneycoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed partnership featuring Disney characters and entertainment brands on check designs including Mickey Loves Minnie, Toy Story, Frozen, Moana, Stitch, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Lion King, 101 Dalmatians, and Disney Princess Stories.
• MLB (Major League Baseball)coreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed partnership offering MLB team logo checks. Customers can choose from 30 MLB teams including New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers.
• Peanuts WorldwidecoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed partnership featuring Peanuts characters including Classic Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Retro Peanuts, and Peanuts holiday themes.
• Thomas KinkadecoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed partnership featuring Thomas Kinkade's faith and inspirational artwork on various check designs.
• Lena LiucoreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive partnership featuring Lena Liu's nature artwork including bird and flower designs, butterfly gardens, and floral borders on checks.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Bradford Exchange (bradfordexchange.com): Sister site of Bradford Exchange Checks under the same Bradford Exchange brand umbrella, selling collectibles, jewelry, and gift products. Not a direct competitor but a closely affiliated cross-sell and brand-equity channel for the same core demographic.

Direct peers

• Costco Checks: Warehouse-club-affiliated DTC check retailer offering personal and business checks with value pricing; targets a similar member-customer base and competes for the same reorder cadence.
• Checks Unlimited: Direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer of personalized personal and business checks, address labels, and checkbook accessories with a similarly broad design library — the closest head-to-head competitor to Bradford Exchange Checks.
• Carousel Checks: Online retailer of personalized checks and coordinating accessories (covers, labels, registers) with a similar themed-design approach, directly comparable in product mix and channel.
• Checks In The Mail: DTC check retailer selling personal and business checks, accessories, and bank supplies — overlapping catalog, target customer (small business and individual), and value-pricing positioning.
• Designer Checks: Direct competitor offering themed and designer personal/business checks, address labels, and accessories via a DTC e-commerce model directly comparable to Bradford Exchange Checks.
• Walmart Checks: Online personalized check retailer operating as a Walmart-affiliated storefront with comparable SKUs (personal, business, high-security checks and accessories) targeting the same value-seeking consumer.

Broad incumbents

• Deluxe Corporation: Large established player in check printing, business forms, and financial supplies with a much broader B2B and B2C portfolio; competes in the same end product category but at far greater scale and with diversified revenue.
• Vistaprint: Large custom-print e-commerce platform that offers personal/business checks alongside a much broader print product catalog; competes for the same design-conscious small-business and prosumer customer.
• Harland Clarke: Major incumbent in checks, forms, and marketing services for financial institutions and businesses; overlapping consumer and small-business check offerings with the same ANSI-compliant security positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bradford Exchange Checks