cp1518, printable area not the same on both sides? Can NOT print on labels correctly due to this...

[dogchainx]

1. CP1518 color laser

2. win 7 64 bit, win xp 32 bit

3. no error message

4. No upgrades

I bought a cp1518 to do color labels.  The labels are 10 per page, rectangular, on LETTER size. The labels edge are about a 0.2" from the left and right sides of the total page, and about 0.5" from the top.  When printing, the left side prints just fine, covering the entire label. However, on the right side there is about a 0.15"  white area ON THE LABEL where there is no printing on the label. It seems like the right side's printable area is LESS than the left side.  I've tried printing from three different computers, thinking a driver might be the issue, but all computers exhibited the same printing problem.

So:

-Labels 2x5, 10 per page.

-labels are NOT to edge of page, having 0.2" buffer area to the edge.

-left side prints fine, right side seems to have about a 0.15" white area where it doesn't print...so 0.35" non-printable area from the left page side.

-label prints result in 5 that are good, 5 that have a 0.15" white portion where no printing is done.

Anyone know how to solve this?

[pcwizard]

Hi dogshainx, 

The margins are all controlled by the printing application. You will need to download the label template from the paper manufacture, and then do a test print on plain paper. Place the plain paper up to the label paper to check the margins. Adjust where it needs to be in the application program. 

[dogchainx]

I have been using the label templates (PDF,EPS, and WORD).

All the templates used, on different computers, with different programs, all suffer the same issue.

Printing to another printer (non-HP), the margins are fine. Its only when printing to the HP that this problem occurs.

I looked at the tray, and didn't see any problems.  I've used the tray, as well as the manual feeder.  Both show the same problem.

[pcwizard]

Hi dogchainx, 

Take a scan of the printed output, and then attach it to this post for me to review. 

[dogchainx]

Here you go. Two scans, one of the non-HP, and the other of the HP printer.

What it should print out like: (non-HP laser printer):

What it prints out like with the HP printer:

[pcwizard]

Hi dogchainx, 

Adjust the right & left margins in, and let me know if it prints correctly?

[dogchainx]

Here is what hasn't worked:

-"fit to size" print options

-"actual size" print options

-manual adjustments within the program (a HORRIFIC PAIN to even get close, and even then the image almost seems too spread out and not the correct size)

-different programs (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat Pro, MS PAINT, MS Word, and windows photo print wizard)

-different templates (EPS, PDF, Word)

-Manual tray

-Different computers

I've double checked template size (letter 8.5"x11"), paper size in drivers, the tray, etc.

I've spent about 4 hours total trying to get this to print on any template correctly.  I'm pretty close to saying the printer just can't print accurately and go another brand.

[pcwizard]

Hi dogchainx,

Have you made the adjustments to the Left & Right margins in the printing application.

[dogchainx]

Yes, I have.  Margin adjustments will not work.

Looking at this problem further, the printer does not print to equal scale from top to bottom vs left to right.

It looks like its stretching the printed document left and right.    (on ALL prints sent, regardless of program used)