There are a number of channels for buying forms. Some forms printers sell directly through catalogs and direct sales forces, eliminating the middleman and usually offering the best prices. Smaller businesses in particular will usually benefit more from the lower overhead of catalog purchases. However, choices can be limited, so shop around.

Distributors, on the other hand, work almost as consultants, taking orders and passing them along to the printer best suited for the job. You'll usually have to pay a slight markup for this convenience, but if you don't know much about forms, you might find it useful to take advantage of these companies' expertise; they may offer options you hadn't even considered.

Many software companies offer forms to go with their financial programs as a supplement to their services. But just as you aren't required to buy your personal checks from the bank, software-compatible forms don't needto be bought from the software company. In fact, turning to the other channels can be a quick way to lower your costs.