HP OFFICEJET PRO 9018 Prints uneven

[DayTime2]

This printed has so many problems, but I'm hoping someone could help me with this ONE  for now.

It has a really hard time printing on cardstock/thick paper. It jams if I try to have it print more than one copy at a time.

And the pages are also uneven, attached are some images of what happens to the borders.

One end is has bigger border than the other, this happens every time , even If I'm only printing one page in cardstock.

It doesn't happen when I print on regular paper, only thick paper.

I have tried changing the settings from my pc and the printer to the thicker paper, I have tried printing in JPG format, in PDF format and straight from Illustrator, but no matter what the pages are still uneven. 

It's honestly so infuriating, We have this problem with all of these printed. We have 3 of these in our office and we regret purchasing them, they had such good reviews and these printer do not live up to the reviews. This is a professional work setting and it's so annoying we have to go to deal with this. We have a separate CHEAP $50 printer we use to print on card stock because this $300 printer can't complete a basic task. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@DayTime2 

Yes, it is unfortunate that the printers do not do what you expect.

I cannot discern the weight of the paper from the picture.

and
I have a different printer (OfficeJet Pro 9025 - circa 2019).

Unless the paper is too far outside of the paper weight and type class for what the printer supports, I've been successful printing heavier paper in the 9025 (for example Avery business cards).

The Custom Tray feed drawer (Tray 2) in the 9025 is perhaps mechanically different from the single tray type in the 9018.  NOT gloating -- I don't know whether it makes a difference. 

Means nothing, only offered as a comparison.

Review, some of which is intended for those reading and not meant as a Rehash of what you already know...

Use anything that you want or need - ignore the rest.

Short Version:

Check the specs to make sure the paper is supported.

Check EWS to make sure the paper size / type are selected as best can be done.

Check that the installed full driver printer software is actually using the HP drivers in Printer Properties.

Export file to PDF and print that - ask if you want an example.

 Start the slog...

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1) Printer - Specifications

 Product Specifications for the HP OfficeJet Pro 9018 All-in-One Printer (1KR45A)

Section:  Paper handling

Input capacity	Up to 250 sheets
Standard input capacity (cards)	Up to 50 sheets
Standard input capacity (envelopes)	Up to 30
Output capacity	Up to 60 sheets
Media sizes supported (metric)	A4; A5; A6; B5 (JIS); Envelope (DL, C5, C6, Chou #3, Chou #4); Card (Hagaki, O**bleep**u Hagaki)
Media sizes supported (U.S. standard)	Letter; Legal; Government Legal; Executive; Statement; 3 x 5 in; 4 x 6 in; 5 x 7 in; 13 x 18 cm; 8 x 10 in; 10 x 15 cm; L; Photo 2L; Envelope( #10, Monarch, 5.5 bar); Card (3 x 5 in, 4 x 6 in, 5 x 8 in)
Media sizes, custom (metric)	Tray 1: 76.2 x 127 to 215.9 x 355.6 mm
Media sizes, custom (U.S. standard)	Tray 1: 3 x 5 to 8.5 x 14; 5 x 8.3 to 8.5 x 14 in
Media types	Plain Paper, HP Photo Papers, HP Matte Brochure or Professional Paper, HP Matte Presentation Paper, HP Glossy Brochure or Professional Paper, Other Photo Inkjet Papers, Other Matte Inkjet Papers, Other Glossy Inkjet Papers, Thick Plain Paper, Light/Recycled Plain Paper, HP Tri-fold Brochure Paper, Glossy
Media weight supported (metric)	60 to 105 g/m² (plain); 220 to 280 g/m² (photo); 75 to 90 g/m² (envelope); 163 to 200 g/m² (card)
Media weight supported (U.S. standard)	16 to 28 lb (plain paper); 60 to 75 lb (photo); 20 to 24 lb (envelope); 90 to 110 lb (card)
Borderless printing	Yes, on photo and brochure paper only, up to 8.5 x 11 in (US letter), 210 x 297 mm (A4)

==========================

2)  Printer - Embedded Web Server - EWS

Paper Size & Type - Tray and Paper

EWS > HP Document / How-to

Use the HP printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)

EWS – Browser – Tray and Paper Management

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Settings > Preferences > Tray and Paper (Management)

Select / Adjust settings for Paper Size / Type

Model Dependent:  Advanced section

Click Apply to save changes

Tray and Paper – Paper Size / Paper Type / Paper Weight

Reminder

HP Smart Mobile requires that paper size / type is adjusted before the content is opened to be printed.

Paper Size, Type, and Weight loaded in the printer tray must be supported for use in that tray.

EWS provides access and control to check / adjust Tray and Paper Settings.

Note

Depending on the printer model, the Printer Control Panel might (also) provide access to Paper Size / Type settings immediately after the paper is (re)loaded into the appropriate printer intake tray.

What? 

Paper Size, Type, and Weight must be appropriate for the tray in which that paper is to be used.

Depending on the printer model, Tray 1 might be used for Custom media. 

In this scenario, Tray 2 might only support Plain paper.

OR

If the "Custom Paper Tray" is Tray 2, then Tray 1 might only support Plain paper.

Printers that include a Photo Tray generally place limitations on the size and type of paper that the Photo Tray supports.  Example:  Depending on the printer model, the Photo Tray might support only 4x6 inch photo paper.

-------------------------    ---------------------------------

If you have not done so,

Check / Adjust the paper setting on the printer

Reminder

HP Smart Mobile requires that the paper size / type be adjusted before the content is opened to be printed.

Reference

Open > Printer Product Home

Select printer model

Open Category Manuals > Find and open User Guide 

Find and read the instructions for “Load Paper” or “Load Media” (wording varies)

Reload paper

Open printer drawer > Lift paper from the tray > Replace paper > Wait a few seconds > Close the Tray

Next,

Immediately check the printer control panel for a message to adjust / set the paper size / type

OR

Use the Embedded Web Server (EWS) to check / adjust the paper size / type - Tray and Paper

Selecting Paper Types in EWS

Paper type selections available in EWS -- and at the printer when that printer includes a text-input capable Printer Control Panel -- are different from the paper type selections found in the application / software used to configure the print job.

Select a paper type in Tray and Paper that -- as close as possible -- matches the paper type you are using and is selected in the printer software / application you are using to open, view, configure, and submit the job to the printer.

For example, (if) using

Brochure or Professional paper - matte, select (in EWS):   Specialty Paper - Matte

HP Card paper or Index Paper, if available, select (in EWS):   Plain Paper, Thick  OR  Specialty Paper - Matte

-------------------------    ---------------------------------

Notes – Paper Types

Depending on the printer model, Photo paper might be supported to 250 gsm, or, if specified, to 280 or 300 gsm.

For example, HP Advanced Photo paper is 250 gsm.

Do not select Photo paper if you are actually using a different paper type.

Do not attempt to use 300 gsm photo paper in a printer that does not support paper in that weight class.

Index card paper is an ISO paper type. On a printer that supports “card paper”, HP Card paper -- unless otherwise specified -- is defined as Card / Index paper and is generally supported to 200 gsm. 

If “card” paper is not listed in the Specifications, paper in this weight class might NOT be supported.

Brochure and Professional paper are typically the same weight.  Brochure paper comes in two print surfaces:  Matte and Glossy.  HP Brochure / Professional papers are 180 gsm in weight.

If the “heavy” paper type is generally supported but is not listed in the job configuration Properties, select the closer alternative: For example, in Properties > select “Brochure” / “Professional”.

Plain Paper is typically defined as standard office paper at 16-24 lb in weight.

==========================

3)  Printer - Full Feature Software

There are actually two parts to this:

The Full Feature Software / full driver printer software should be installed

AND

Printer Properties should be pointed at the HP Driver software as opposed to the Microsoft / IPP print drivers.

Video - Install Printer Software

 HP OfficeJet 9010 | 9015 | 9018 | 9019: Download & Install HP Full featured software 

and / or instructions

Use or ignore as suits your situation...

================================

 Remove / Install the full driver printer software

If not done by this point...

Restart everything, including the router that controls you network.

Can't stand it?  At least restart the printer and the computer and any device you can stand to be without for a short time.

Next,

Run Windows Updates  --  If any updates are installed, Restart the computer and log in.

Next,

Printer - Full Feature Software - Install

If you have not done so, consider

• HP Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software - supports printing and scanning from the web, printing in in other software and programs (for example, Word), and provides access to the full range of Printing Preferences / Shortcuts.  The full driver adds at least two shortcuts to the Desktop:  Printer Assistant and HP Scan.  If the printer model includes built-in Fax hardware, the software supports the setup and use of the Fax driver.  No Sign-in required.

If the full driver printer software is (already) installed but not working,

• Uninstall any printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• Check (for the Printer) in Devices and Printers  > If found, Right-Click Printer and Remove -- If any changes are made, that is, you remove anything, Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, disconnect the cable before installing the printer software.

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software

Details Page - Driver - For your Printer

>>> Full Feature Software - Web Pack Installation Package - Information - Download  <<<

HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 EasyStart Printer Setup Software – Offline Use Only 

Installation

• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

====================================

Optional – Supported for your printer

Next – HP Universal Scan Software - NOTE:  Model and Operating System version Dependent

 HP Universal Scan Full Feature Software adds OCR libraries to installed HP Scan software. 

HPUS installs a new, full featured, (and separate) HP Scan software shortcut to the Desktop.

Note:  HPUS can be installed as standalone or installed after the full feature printer software.

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and sign in

HP Universal Scan Software provides a larger GUI to make using the software easier on high-resolution screens.   New features have been added to the main menu to help with navigating the settings.

 HP printers - Scan as Editable Text (OCR) with HP Scan (Windows)

====================================

The installation of the full driver adds at least two shortcuts to the Desktop:  

Printer Assistant 

HP Scan

>>> Open the Printer Assistant > tab Scan > Manage Scan to Computer > Enable

Example - Windows - Full Feature Software - Installed in Programs and Features

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_11

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4)  Printer Properties

Make sure the printer and the full driver are selected in Printer Properties.

What?  Microsoft print drivers do not support the full range of options.

Example - Windows - Printer Properties > Tab Advanced > Driver Selection

9025_Printer_Properties_Advanced_Driver_List_11

==========================

5) Printer Preferences

Set Printing Preferences – Windows

NOTES

This section is not applicable to Mobile Printing.

Access to the complete Printer Preferences might require having installed the Full Driver printer software.

In general: The printer should be selected as the current printing device.

If using HP Smart Printing, the Smart Printing driver is selected in the Printer List in the job setup.

Printing Preferences are available directly from the driver (Devices and Printers) or from within the job setup (software / application used to view and submit the job to the printer).

Printing Envelopes? See NOTE

Windows 10

Windows key > Search for and open Control Panel

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Right-Click on your printer > Printing Preferences

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners

Check the list of devices – Select / Open Printer

Select Printing Preferences

When called from within printing software / applications, Printing Preferences might be called "Printer Properties" / "Shortcuts" / “More Settings” / “Properties” / "Printer Setup" / "Presets" or similar.

No Size?  If the size of the Paper Size is not included in the Drop-down list, consider / try:  Create a Custom Paper Size Form.  Reference:  HP Printers - Creating Custom Paper Sizes

NOTE >> Word > Mailings > Envelopes - Preferences and Envelopes 

Select / leave Printing Preferences Shortcut to "Everyday Printing" or something equally benign. 

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References / Resources

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HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), Supplies, and more

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