How to Designate a Custom Paper Size for HP Officejet 8720

[Roccus]

I need to be able to designate a custom paper size for my HP Officejet 8720.  When I googled it, a HP support document for Windows 10 and 8 came up that advised me to click on Print, then on Properties, and then and then on CUSTOM.  Only problem,  there is no CUSTOM.  The page also advises that "If you do not see a Custom button on the Paper/Quality tab of the printer properties window, skip to the section to Create custom paper sizes from Devices and Printers."  When I did that, I was told to go to Control Panel and then Click on Devices and Printers, then to click on the icon for the specific printer and then on Print server properties. 

Then, If Print server properties does not display [which it did not], right-click an empty area in the Printers window, select Run as administrator from the drop-down menu, and then select Server Properties.

I tried this, and did not get a Run as administrator or select Server Properties.  All I got was in the drop down menu was View, Sort by, Group by, Refresh, Paste and Paste shortcut.

I would really like to be able to create a custom size for a special project that I am doing. 

Any real help would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@Roccus

I cannot sort exactly what you are doing -- or not doing to create the custom form.  Perhaps I am not reading it correctly.

I can offer the following:

If Custom Paper Size is available for your printer, find the forms setup in Print Server Properties.

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers >

1. Left-Click on your Printer one time to highlight >
2.  Along the top ribbon:  Left-Click Print Server Properties

Devices_and_Printers_Server_Properties_2

If necessary, to allow changing / adding settings, Click Change form settings >> the menu will redisplay to allow editing.

Tab Forms > Scroll down and Highlight (Left-Click) the form that most closely matches your new form

HINTS: 

• Start with a standard form of the same (or similar) Media type (kind of paper)
• Start with a form that is close to the size of your new form
• After the new form is created, Restart the computer and the printer

For example:

• Create custom Photo paper size form from a standard form “Photo” of a size similar to your destination “custom size”
• Create custom Envelope paper size form from a standard form of type “Envelope”
• Create a custom "regular paper" form from a standard paper size form

 Printing_Preferences_Custom_Form_1

CHECK Create a new form

Form Name: Erase original name – Enter the name of your new form

Form Description (measurements):  Adjust Paper Size to match new custom paper size form

Width:   8.5in (Example)

Height:  5.0in

• In most cases: Do not change the Printer area margins

Save Form to create / save your new form setup

OK to Exit

Printing_Preferences_Custom_Form_1A 

References

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

Drivers / Software, Videos, Advisories, How-to, Troubleshooting, Manuals, Product Information, more

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer series

Dragon Document – Collection of Help, suggestions, and examples:

Printing Preferences

Section / Subject:  Custom Paper Sizes

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[Roccus]

Thanks very much for the accurate and clear instructions on how to do this.  The information that I had before did not advise me to left click on the printer to bring up the Printer Server Properties tab.  Once I got there, all went very well.  I much appreciate the help.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Roccus

You are welcome.

You are NOT the first one to have missed this.

Windows has -- for years -- conditioned us to "Right-Click" into Menu selection.

Left-Click and search the ribbon is not the norm -- it catches us unaware.

Happy Printing!

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

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

[flowerjen]

THANK YOU!!!!!  This worked perfectly and will save me many half pages of expensive label paper.  You would think the management software, named "Smart", might have the form set up feature in it..... 🙂

[JWalcott1]

Here's the link to the answer" https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03890386

Make sure you click on the printer icon in the Devices and Printers, then "Print Server Properties" will show in the bar above. 

Note: there are many more defind sizes already there.

[Abjb2662]

@Dragon-Fur I, too, followed all the steps you listed and was able to successfully create a customized paper size (i.e., 4.5 x 6.5 card). However, I am not able to use it because the paper size does not populate as an option when attempting to print my document. I've tried printing the document from Microsoft Word, from saved as an Adobe pdf, and as saved as a jpeg/photo. Neither of these programs/formats displays my customized paper size as a print option. Now what to do?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Abjb2662 

Thank you for your question.

The thread is intended to assist the first person who asked for help and received the solution for his / her particular issue.

Unless your printer / software / situation is identical, there are likely factors that impact the outcome.

For example, your Media may be different, your version of Word may be different, your printer might even be a completely different model (people do this, that is, tag onto a solved thread with a question for a different printer model).   You might be using XP (people do still use XP).  You might be trying to use duplex with a media / size that is incompatible with Duplex.  

What to do?

Please start a new thread of your own.

When you start your thread, include important details:

• Printer Model (for example, Officejet Pro 8740)
• Whether or not you have fully installed the latest version of the Full Feature Software (printer software)
• Whether or not you have installed the latest Firmware for your printer
• Operating System and version (for example, Windows 10, V1809)
• Whether you have Restarted the computer after having created the Custom Paper Size
• Whether or not you can see the new custom paper size form in Printing Preferences

For example: 

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers 

Right-Click on Printer > Printing Preferences

Tab Printing Shortcuts

Select your shortcut (standard template or custom shortcut)

Open the Paper Size list

Example - Officejet Pro 8740 - Printing Preferences - Paper Size list

8740_Printing_Preferences_Paper_Size_List_1

Additional setting(s) to try:

Word > File >Print

Under Settings

Paper Sizes > click open > scroll down > More Paper Sizes

Paper Size: Click open the paper size menu

Select Custom Size

Enter the Width and Height

Select the Source (do not leave "automatic")

Click OK to close the menu

New Thread:  Include important details (continued)

• Version of Word (for example, Home and Office 2019)
• Your Printer Dialog settings for: Media type, Source, Duplex or not (For example, Media = Index Card)
• Where you are looking to find the Paper Size - for example, are you looking in the Word print dialog, or have you opened (within the Word print dialog) Printer Properties)
• Type of Adobe PDF software (for example, Adobe Reader DC)

The more details you provide, including what you have tried to resolve the issue on your own, will help us decide whether we can suggest anything useful to help you.

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.