Custom Paper Sizes

[AP_RACE]

Currently have an HP Photosmart 8450 printer that will allow me to create custom paper sizes.  Have been warned by the company that supplies me with paper stock to create greeting cards that the new HP printers wll not allow me to create custom paper sizes. Is this true?  If so, will that be corrected. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@AP_RACE

What you have been told is only half-true (and is therefore false).

Printers (of every brand) come in many models; features vary by model.

In general,

New HP printers that are mid-grade or higher (quality and features) and are supported for Windows 10 (or Mac) likely support custom sizes. 

Low end printers may not support custom paper sizes -- some do not even support "auto duplex".

You have to read / understand / know the specifications for the particular printer.

This printer:

HP ENVY Photo 7855 All-in-One Printer

Supports Custom Paper Sizes 

Specifications provide allowed / supported custom paper sizes:

Media sizes, custom (metric)	97.79 x 215 to 127 x 355 mm
Media sizes, custom (U.S. standard)	3.85 x 8.5 to 5 x 14 in

How-to > Print > Instructions and Settings >

Creating Custom Paper Sizes

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[AP_RACE]

Thank you for your response.  From the chart you provide and the way I understand it, the Envy 7855 will allow me to create page sizes of 7 x 10 and 5.5 x 8.5, which is the dimensions of the card stock I've used to create greeting cards.  I should also be able to create envelopes, if they are not already defined, of 5.25 x 7.25(A7) and 4.37 x 5.75(A2).

The way I have interpreted the chart is that any size can be created from a width of 3.85 to 8.5" and a length from 5 to 14 inches. 

Sincerely,

tony zambos

Specifications provide allowed / supported custom paper sizes:

Media sizes, custom (metric)

97.79 x 215 to 127 x 355 mm

Media sizes, custom (U.S. standard)

3.85 x 8.5 to 5 x 14 in

[Dragon-Fur]

@AP_RACE

When the printer supports custom paper size forms, the setup is available in Windows:

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers >

Left-Click on your Printer one time to highlight >

Left-Click Print Server properties

If you have not yet purchased the printer this is harder to check -- if there is a demonstration model available in the store (and assuming you are indeed looking at the printer in a brick-n-mortal establishment), ask that the printer be connected wirelessly to a Windows 10 computer on which the Full Feature Software has been installed.  A good sales clerk will perhaps accomodate you.

Important - All Card paper is not equal

Warning -- the following is TMI (too much information) and it has been typed on the fly (perhaps missing detail and providing muddied descriptions).

Card paper comes in a variety of weights -- this is important because a given printer can handle up to a specific weight of paper.

In the case of the HP Envy Photo 7855, the information is provided in this format (without any reference to the type of paper for the weight category:

Media weight supported (metric)

70 to 90 g/m²

Media weight supported (U.S. standard)

18 to 22 lb

Borderless printing

Yes (up to 8.5 x 11 in, 216 x 297 mm)

Specifications (written in the "new" format that sometimes is harder to interpret) indicate that Media is allowed from 70 to 90gsm.  

Paper weight is more complicated than it appears on the surface -- gsm (grams per square meter) is an ISO standard.. Added complexity is due to the different types of paper (Cover, Index, Text...) and how they are weighed.

To further complicate your decision, the Specifications do not discern which type of paper is allowed in which weight class (it may not matter but it would be nice if it were shown):

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, Plain Paper, Light/Recycled

For example, Brochure paper is shown as supported. 

Look up HP Brochure paper and there are (were at last check) at least two weight classes:  150 gsm and 180gsm

HP Presentation paper might be 120 gsm.

I do not recall whether HP Brochure paper includes (on the packaging) the media type from which the paper is made  (Cover, Index, Text...) -- and I don't know whether the media type is relevant to the simple question:  does the printer print on this class of paper or not?

The Specifications are likely missing something -- personal opinion and not something I would defend.

??

My "feeling" is that this printer is something of a "light weight" in terms of its overall capabilities.  

This printer is likely very good at printing photos -- and is adequate as a document printer.

Mid-to-high-end Officejet printers print pretty good photos.  These printers are meant as small-office or home workhorses; they print on a variety of light to heavy weight media, they are generally faster than less expensive printers, they support all the features you would expect.  Mid-to-high-end Officejet printers are not cheap -- this category does provide for a generally longer service life and the printers are generally "feature packed" (do many tasks).

Were I you and I was contemplating the purchase of this Envy printer, I would contact HP Sales - set up a phone call or CHAT session (as available) and grill the sales tech about the options.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP devices and technology.

[CarolynST]

I am beyond upset. I had a 7520 and 3 x 5 index cards were part of the paper including.  I can't believe I just purchased an Envy 7855 and it won't print index cards!  I have already set in all up, loaded the ink, printed a couple of pages and NOW find out that my NEWLY purchased printer won't print index cards.......I am so angry right now, ............

[kevin-t]

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