Sending checks in batches

Use Physical Check Batches to ship multiple Check Transfers in the same parcel. Common industry-specific terms for batches include “Householding”, “Nesting”, “Family grouping”, and “Consolidated mailing”.

Physical Check Batch lifecycle

pending	The batch is pending completion and is open to accepting new checks.
completed	The batch has been completed and the print has been submitted.
canceled	The batch and its associated Check Transfers have been canceled.
requires_attention	A rare status set when the batch needs manual intervention from the Increase team. More about requires_attention.

Sending a batch of checks

1. Create a Physical Check Batch. The batch is in pending status and checks can be added to it.
2. Create Check Transfers with physical_check.physical_check_batch_id set to the ID of the batch you created. Each Check Transfer waits in pending_batch_completing status until the batch is completed.
3. Complete the Physical Check Batch. The batch transitions to completed status and the print request is sent to the printer. The Check Transfers progress through their individual lifecycle as usual.

By default batches are fulfilled via USPS First Class mail. For higher-priority batches, you can send via FedEx Overnight by setting the shipping_method to fedex_overnight. Note that the maximum page count differs depending on the shipping_method.

Shipping method	Maximum page count	Shipment timing	Typical arrival
USPS First Class	999 pages	By the end of the next business day	3-5 business days after shipping
FedEx Overnight	50 pages	Same day if ordered by 2pm ET	Next business morning

Each check counts as 1 page toward the batch, plus its attachment pages. For example, two Check Transfers that each have a two-page attachment total 6 pages.

Canceling a batch

Check Transfers that are part of a batch cannot be individually canceled. Instead, you must cancel the batch, which cancels all related Check Transfers. The batch can only be canceled when it is in pending status.

Tracking updates

Physical Check Batches do not provide tracking updates. Tracking updates are propagated to every Check Transfer in the batch. See the tracking_updates array on the Check Transfer object.