The envelope is not aligned correctly

[lawjake]

I use word to print envelopes.  I have never been able to successfully print an envelope on this printer.  It keeps telling me I need to load 8 1/2 x 11 paper. I think I downloaded the right drivers and software.  I set the word to print to tray 1 and then tray 2 and the same thing. The address does not print on the envelope.  If it prints on a sheet of paper, the address prints in the center.  It appears to want to change the margins when I print an envelope (not exactly sure). Only a partial address is printing. 

[BongChaGomez]

Hello @lawjake ,

Welcome to HP support community!

The printer is not accepting the envelope size, and Microsoft Word is automatically changing the page layout in the background. This causes the margins to shift and results in only part of the address printing.

Follow the steps below to print envelopes correctly on the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301fdw.

Use Tray 1 Only (Manual Feed)
This printer does not support envelopes in Tray 2.
  • Load only one envelope at a time
  • Keep the flap closed
  • Insert the envelope:
    ○ Short edge first
    ○ Flap on the left side
  • Adjust the Tray 1 paper guides so they touch the envelope lightly

Set Tray 1 Paper Type and Size on the Printer
On the printer’s control panel:
  1. Tap Menu
  2. Go to Paper Setup → Tray 1
  3. Set:
    ○ Paper Type: Envelope
    ○ Paper Size:
      § Select the exact size (for example, #10 Envelope)
      § Or choose Custom if the size is not listed
If Tray 1 is left as Any Size / Any Type, the printer assumes Letter (8.5 × 11) paper and will not print the envelope.

Do NOT Use Word’s “Envelopes” Feature (Important)
Word’s built-in envelope tool often causes alignment and margin problems with HP laser printers.
Instead, create a normal Word document:
  1. Open Word
  2. Go to Layout → Size → More Paper Sizes
  3. Set:
    ○ Width: 9.5 inches
    ○ Height: 4.125 inches (for a #10 envelope)
  4. Click OK

Set Proper Margins (Very Important)
Go to Layout → Margins → Custom Margins and set:
  • Top: 0.5 inch
  • Bottom: 0.5 inch
  • Left: 0.5 inch
  • Right: 0.5 inch
HP laser printers cannot print all the way to the edge, so smaller margins will cause text to be cut off.

Check Printer Properties (Fixes “Load 8.5 × 11” Message)
When printing, click Print → Printer Properties and confirm:
  • Paper Source: Tray 1
  • Paper Size: Same envelope size you set in Word
  • Scaling: 100%
  • Turn off:
    ○ Fit to Page
    ○ Scale to Paper Size
  • Orientation: Landscape (usually required for envelopes)

Driver Check (Important)
Make sure you are using an HP PCL-6 driver, not PostScript.
  1. Open Printers & Scanners
  2. Select the printer → Printer Properties
  3. Go to the Advanced tab
  4. Driver name should show:
    ○ HP Universal Printing PCL 6
    ○ or HP Color LaserJet Pro PCL-6
Avoid:
  • Class drivers
  • PostScript (PS) drivers when printing envelopes

If the Address Still Prints Partially
This happens because the printer has areas where it cannot print.
To fix this:
  • Move the address slightly toward the center
  • Keep text at least 0.5 inch away from all edges
  • Avoid text boxes that touch the margins

Quick Test (Recommended)
Before adding real addresses:
  1. Create the envelope-size document
  2. Type: TEST ENVELOPE
  3. Print using Tray 1
If this prints correctly, the printer is set up properly and the issue is related to Word formatting.