Crooked printing on cardstock paper (all sizes)

[leesuh]

My HP Envy 4520 has been struggling to grab cardstock paper, no matter what size the paper is. When it grabs the paper, it almost sounds like it's struggling to grab the paper while making a lot of unpleasant noises and then beginning to print. I have used canned air to clean out everything and I removed the back compartment to check for an extra paper in there. Nothing. I have always used the same settings for cardstock. I've never encountered this issue until a couple months ago.

Currently, I am printing 5x7 invitations on 80 lb. cardstock paper.

The settings I am using to print are as follows:

Paper Type: HP Matte Presentation Paper

Size: 5x7

Quality: Best

Borderless: On

See attached photo (left) for reference.

Now, if I print in Max DPI, I don't have this issue. It seems like since the printing is A LOT slower, it doesn't grab the paper so angrily. See attached photo (right) for reference.

The photo shows my settings listed above on both invites. However, the left, crooked invite is NO Max DPI. The invite on the right is YES Max DPI. The black around the edges is not part of the invite--that is my printer.

Please help! I really don't want to print everything in Max DPI for the rest of my life. I will grow a beard by the time the 5th page prints.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@leesuh 

Printer rollers might be dirty - canned air won't clean "dirt on rollers".  Dirt (tiny amounts) can cause the paper to catch and drag.

Document includes how to clean the printer:

 'Out of Paper' Displays, Printer Does Not Pick Up Paper

Semi-Related; it is just a short distance from drag / balk / and distress to "jammed".

Worth at least a quick read...

 Paper Jam Error

Make sure the ink cartridges are clean, full enough to support the task, and otherwise "operational".

"Things that are Ink" are included in this Troubleshooting document:

 Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues

If you complete every troubleshooting step and the printer still drags, balks, and fails to print correctly, the hardware may be wearing out.    This is not meant to be an excuse, of course; if the printer is new, it should work within its specifications.

Reference

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

Still need help?  Want more information?  Search for solutions...

Reference and Resources – Places to find (more) help and learn about your Printer

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type

Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), User Guides, Product Information, more

HP ENVY 4520 All-in-One Printer series

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[leesuh]

@Dragon-Fur

I cleaned both the paper tray roller on the bottom and the paper feed rollers on the inside. After allowing each one to dry for 10 minutes, it picked up the cardstock like normal.

Thank you!

[Dragon-Fur]

@leesuh 

You are welcome.

Cardstock is the "canary" paper of the printer world;  if anything is wrong, cardstock seems to be the "first to know".

I am glad it is fixed.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

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

Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

Answered? Click post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.