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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Setup, Software & Drivers
- Envelopes Printed with Weird Font

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06-20-2021 11:03 AM
My envelopes are printing with some random font. I've reinstalled my printer, restarted Windows and set the font for printing envelopes to Times New Roman. Any other print function works properly. I cannot find any related issues/solutions online.
06-20-2021 11:58 AM
Seems like a standard font in the list of fonts should work.
Random fonts are unlikely since there is a standard font setup and a list of available fonts from which you can choose.
I cannot explain what you are seeing.
That said, it might be a translation issue - that is, the printer cannot set this font type in spite of what you are telling it.
Can you print with another standard Font, for example, Arial?
Where are you setting the font type and size?
Example - Word > Mailings > Envelope - #10 envelope
Rabbits_and_Chickens_Test_Envelope_10_6
What else?
Although envelope setup and printing using the method shown does not directly use the installed full driver printer software in the envelope process, it is likely required that you have the full driver installed and that your Preferences are set up to something benign that will not interfere with the envelope. For example, set your Printing Preferences shortcut to Everyday Printing.
Example
Retain_Printing_Preferences_2
What else?
There is a workaround to using Word > Mailings > Envelopes .
It's more complicated in that you must do all the setup and text placement manually.
It works when you need / want to add graphics (for example) or need / want a "specialty" setup.
Set the paper size to that of the envelope.
Create a Word Document in that size.
Print the "document" onto your envelope.
Examples
Manual_10_Envelope_Watermark_1
Manual_A9_Envelope_Text_Box_Insert_1
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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06-20-2021 01:50 PM - edited 06-20-2021 02:14 PM
I have tried Arial and Times New Roman but envelopes still print in a strange, foreign-type font. I've called Microsoft support and they uninstalled and reinstalled Office with no difference. I've tried your workaround for formatting a word document as an envelope but my printer won't print as it causes a mismatched size error. I suppose I'll have to hand write my envelopes until a solution is found.
06-20-2021 02:26 PM
OK - well it might well be something that must be solved by Microsoft, after all.
You are right - it is weird.
Some more information - perhaps helpful or perhaps just blathering in the air...
As to the hand made envelope workaround.
You might well need not only a "custom" paper size set up in Word,
it is possible you'd need to create a custom size paper form - this depends on the paper size AND whether the size of the custom paper is supported by the printer.
For example, a regular #10 envelope paper size is already in the paper size list - it is, however, an "envelope" setting.
You might need to create a custom size paper form for a paper that is the same dimensions as the #10 envelope but that can be used with a "Plain paper" setting (same as for printing that envelope type, but the printer might see it differently).
Custom paper form can be made in whatever custom paper sizes are supported by the printer. There are upper and lower size limits, of course, and some sizes will not work.
HP Document:
HP Printers - Creating Custom Paper Sizes
In the case of the example, the paper type has been selected as Brochure / Professional to indicate to the printer that a "thicker" card-type paper is being used with this setup. In the case of your custom envelope, certainly if the envelope is a "standard" type (white, regular thickness), then the paper type could be set at "plain paper".
I found an old image file of how to create a custom paper size.
9025_Custom_Paper_Size_5x7_1
Regardless of whether you are using a "custom size paper form", if the paper size you are using is not listed in the Printer paper size / type list (on the printer display panel) and if you cannot select the paper size / type in the EWS Tray and Paper Management setting, you must select paper size Custom in the Pinter display panel and in the EWS Tray and Management.
Unlike Word > Mailings > Envelopes setup, when creating a custom "envelope like" document, all the settings must be set in your Word > Layout section, including Orientation (load short side paper first into printer and print as Landscape), Size, and Margins (set to no smaller than Narrow).
And - The printer must be aware that "something is different".
Reference - Tell the Printer about the Paper / Size - Type
Check / Adjust / Retain the Paper at the Printer Display Panel
Section is not applicable to printers lacking 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 – Printer Display Panel > Adjusting the paper size:
If the size of your Paper Size is not in the Drop-down menu,
Select Custom (likely the last selection in the list)
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Embedded Web Server (EWS)
EWS option is applicable to network connected printers.
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.
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
NOTES
- Size not listed in the Drop-down menu? Select Custom (likely the last selection in the list)
- EWS is also available in HP Smart Windows and HP Smart Mobile > Settings > Advanced
- Features and options differ by printer model and type.
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Set the Preferences – Windows
This section is not applicable to Mobile Printing.
Printing Preferences are available directly from the driver and / or might be called "Printer Properties" / "Shortcuts" (or similar) from within printing software / applications.
Preferences and Envelopes:
Select / leave Printing Preferences shortcut to "Everyday Printing" or something equally benign.
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Preparation > 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
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Printing Preferences - Selections
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
Make changes to a Shortcut (Model Dependent)
- Select shortcut (locked or custom) >
- Adjust the settings for paper, source (tray), other settings
- Check all sub-menus in all Tabs
- Click OK to save / leave sub menu
Custom Shortcut
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
Side Bar: Scan Menu for HP Scan
Open More > section,
Check / adjust settings in each sub-section
Click OK to save sub-menu changes
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Thank you for participating in the HP Community.
The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.
Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.
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Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"
06-21-2021 07:26 AM
OK - very odd - I was not aware the driver property could / would change on its own.
To me at least, it is also curious that your printer name is not attached to your PCL driver.
Printer_Properties_Advanced_Driver_1
Something learned, then. Smiling.
Thanks for posting back - the situation at least makes more sense now.
Happy Printing.
Stay Safe.
Carry on.
Thank you for participating in the HP Community.
The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.
Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.
Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.
Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"