maximum weight paper for ENVY 4502

[Willie15]

I wonder if someone could please help me -- I'd like to know if my HP ENVY 4502 can print an 8.5" x 11" sheet of 65 lb. paper

The specs indicate that it should be able to print an 8.5" x 11" sheet of 75 lb. photo paer, but I'm having trouble getting such heavy paper to feed properly.

Can anyone offer some advice?

Thanks in advance.

[Bob_Headrick]

There are two areas that might cause issues with thick papers:  

• First would be the paper "pick" mechanism.  If the paper is too thick and/or too smooth it may not properly be picked by the printer.  A failure here would typically result in an "out of paper" error.  HP Photo paper typically has a rough back side, which makes it easier to pick. In this case the document here may help.
• The other area that may cause issues is if the paper is too stiff.  This could result in difficulty feeding the paper, even if it is properly picked by the pickup mechanism.  Index card stock is typically more stiff than photo paper.  A failure due to paper stiffness would typically translate to a paper jam message, where the paper feeds partway into the printer but does not pass through properly.  For this case the troubleshooting steps in the document here may help resolve the issue.

[Willie15]

Thanks for the reply and the links.

I'm not sure why I'm having this problem, but I will check to see if I'm not loading the 65 lb. photo paper correctly.  There seems to be a slight difference in surface textures, but it doesn't seem to matter which surface is "up" -- I still have trouble getting it to feed properly.

[Bob_Headrick]

I misunderstood, I thought you were using index card stock rather than photo paper. If you are using inkjet photo paper it will have a coating on one side to accept the ink.  If the paper is printed on the wrong side it will have poor print quality and will be difficult to feed.  It may also leave residue on the rollers that will make subsequent attempts to feed paper more problematic.

When you have feed issues what is the error you get - does it say "out of paper" or "paper jam"?

[Willie15]

Thanks again for the reply.

It says "paper jam" -- it usually feeds about 1/2 way and then stops.

[Bob_Headrick]

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@Willie15 wrote:

Thanks again for the reply. 

It says "paper jam" -- it usually feeds about 1/2 way and then stops. 

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In that case the troubleshooting steps in the document here would be the ones to use, especially cleaning the rollers as shown in solution two.  You might also try different photo paper, one made especially for inkjet use.  HP's offerings can be found here, there are also third party inkjet photo papers available.  What is the media you are using now?

[Willie15]

It's Great White (R) inkjet Glossy Photo Paper (93 brightness, 46 lb, 175 g/m^2).

Thanks for the advice and recommendations.

[Willie15]

I should have also mentioned that some of the prints I'm trying to make are 8.5" x 11" on this paper.