Exhibit 12.1 Deluxe Corporation Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Nine Months Ended Years Ended December 31, -------------- -------------------------------------------------------- Sept 30, 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 ------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- EARNINGS Income before income taxes $162,490 $240,886 $235,913 $324,783 $295,493 $282,506 Interest expense (excluding capitalized interest) 10,042 9,740 10,070 15,371 8,220 1,427 Portion of rent expense under long-term operating leases representative of an interest factor $9,964 13,554 13,259 12,923 11,807 10,849 Amortization of debt expense 63 84 84 84 71 0 TOTAL EARNINGS $182,559 $264,264 $259,326 $353,161 $315,591 $294,782 FIXED CHARGES Interest Expense (including capitalized interest) 11,047 10,499 10,555 15,824 8,990 1,860 Portion of rent expense under long-term operating leases representative of an interest factor 9,964 13,554 13,259 12,923 11,807 10,849 Amortization of debt expense 63 84 84 84 71 0 TOTAL FIXED CHARGES $21,074 $24,137 $23,898 $28,831 $20,868 $12,709 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES: 8.7 10.9 10.9 12.2 15.1 23.2