Prints off-center when printing onto letter-sized cardstock

[jtarr]

When printing onto letter-sized cardstock / index card letter, the printer prints off-center by anywhere from half an inch to 2 inches. I've tried printing out of MS Word and Nuance PDF. Printing the same document(s) on plain printer paper has no issues. I've tried selecting different paper types on the printer/print settings, adjusting the margins manually, running the "Align Printer" tool, running the "Clear Smudge" tool, printing different documents, moving the printer, cleaning the printer, updating the drivers, etc. It seems like the more I try to fix it, the more off-center the print gets. When printing portrait, the print is too far to the top. When printing landscape out of MS Word, the print is too far to the left. When printing landscape out of Nuance (which rotates the page the other way from what Word does), the print is too far to the right. This has been an ongoing problem for months and I'm out of ideas. Please help!

[Dragon-Fur]

@jtarr 

I doubt I can offer anything you have left "untried".

Perhaps significant - I've never used Nuance PDF software.

The issue might be the setting for type of paper...

It does sound a bit like the paper is not feeding correctly.

You are right to have cleaned the printer - dirty printer can cause trouble.

For those reading:

 Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues

It's also possible the print driver (software) is not handling the instructions correctly.

Though perhaps not as common as other causes - software can become corrupted.

If you have not done so,

You could try

Uninstall the software from Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

Load a new copy of the Full Solution software

Restart the computer and log in

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Bits / Suggestions / Places to check...

In general, the printer supports media weights and sizes provided in the Specifications:

 Printer Specifications for HP DeskJet 4530, 4670, ENVY 4510, 4520, OfficeJet 4650 Printers

If you have not done so, install the Full Solution Software

HP OfficeJet 4650 series Print and Scan Driver and Accessories 

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in.

Consider installing the Printer Firmware (likely already updated):

HP OfficeJet 4650 All-in-One Printer series Firmware Update 

Adobe Reader DC – Needed Whether You Use It or Not

If you have not done so,

Reinstall / Update your PDF Reader (Adobe Reader DC /Optional  Foxit Reader)

HINT:  Watch out for and UNCHECK unwanted extra software

NOTE:  Adobe Reader DC software should be installed even if you do not normally open / view / print PDF files directly from the Adobe Reader DC software.

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

Remove other paper from the tray.

Load paper according to the instructions in the User Guide

Pages 8-9

NOTES

Select a paper type that is "thicker paper" - choices vary by printer model.

Try to find something "close" - other than "Plain paper" so the printer knows to expect the thicker label paper.

If you can find it in Printing Preferences >> For example, Brochure paper might work for Index card, labels

Reminder:  Select the Source (For example, Tray 1)

Right after loading the paper...

Tell the printer what you are doing...

Check / Adjust / Retain the Paper at the Printer Display Panel

Note:  This option is not applicable to printers that lack a printer display panel and may not be available on all printer models that do include a printer display panel.

Open Printer Tray,

If you have not yet done so, add desired paper type

Wait a couple of seconds…

Close Tray

IF applicable for your printer:

Look for a message on the Printer Control / Display Panel,

Click Modify (wording varies), set the paper size and type, Click OK

NOTE:  If the size of the Paper Size is not in the Drop-down menu, Select Custom (likely the last selection in the list)

And / Or

Embedded Web Server (EWS)

 Note:  This option is not applicable to printers connected via a USB printer cable (no network connection).

If the printer is on the network,

If the EWS feature is supported on your printer,

Use the Embedded Web Server (EWS) to view / configure your printer.

NOTE:  Laser printer options in EWS are very different from those offered in InkJet Printers.

Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Settings > Preferences > Tray and Paper Management

If applicable, check the Advanced section (at the bottom of the Tray and Paper Management menu)

Click Apply to save changes

NOTE:  If the size of the Paper Size is not in the Drop-down menu, Select Custom (likely the last selection in the list)

General Example

EWS_9025_Preferences_Tray_and_Paper_Management_All

Set the Preferences - Windows

Note:  Ignore this section when not relevant – for example, when using Word > Mailings > Envelopes

Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

1. Select and adjust settings in each category for the Media (kind of paper), source (tray), and paper size.

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

Left-Click on (your) Printer > Manage > Printing Preferences

Next

Tab Printing Shortcuts > Click / Highlight your preferred shortcut > Click Apply > Click OK to exit

NOTE - Make changes to a Shortcut

• Select a shortcut and adjust the settings for paper, source (tray), other settings / Tabs
• Scan Menu for HP Scan >>  If there is a More > section, check / adjust settings in the sub-sections > Click OK to save sub-menu changes
• If supported, save the edited shortcut or use “Save As” or “Create Custom Shortcut” to save as a new / different file name
• Click OK to save the setup

General Example

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

What else?

This setting will likely not impact the results in this case - check and consider...

In your Word document:

Word > File > Options > Advanced

In Section Print (about 2/3 of the way down)

UNCHECK "Scale content for A4 or 8.5 x 11" paper sizes

Click OK to save changes

Consider

Set your Word document margins to no less than "Narrow".

The printer supports smaller margins - this is a test.

Save the document.

Export the Word document as a PDF file.

Open the PDF file in Adobe Reader DC 

Click the printer icon Set Page Size > Actual size

NOTE:  If you've already tried "Actual" / "100%", select "Fit"

Click on Properties Find and Check / Adjust tab(s) for paper size

Find and Check / Adjust the settings for Media (kind of paper) - set to thick, HP Brochure matte, or whatever is closest

Click OK to exit the Properties menu

When ready, Click Print

General Example

Manage Print Output with Print Preview_PDF_1E

Printer  Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

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, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

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

HP OfficeJet 4650 All-in-One Printer series 

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