My printer does not print legal paper well.

[aby3108]

When I want to print a legal-size document, the printer prints everything larger, and doesn't respect the bottom margin, causing the text to be printed flush with the sheet. How can I solve it?

[Sneha_01]

Hi @aby3108,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If your printer is not handling legal-size paper correctly and prints larger than the paper size, causing text to be printed flush with the sheet and not respecting margins, here’s a detailed guide to help you resolve this issue:

**1. Check Printer Settings

• Ensure that the printer settings on your computer match the paper size you’re using. For legal-size paper, the settings should be set to 8.5 x 14 inches (216 x 356 mm).
• Go to Control Panel (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac), and then Printers & Scanners.
• Select your printer and open Manage or Printer Properties.
• Go to Printing Preferences or Paper/Quality and ensure the paper size is set to Legal.
• When printing a document, open the Print dialog box from the application you’re printing from.
• Make sure the Paper Size is set to Legal and that any scaling options are set to None or Actual Size to prevent the document from being resized.

**2. Check Document Settings

• In the application you are using to print (e.g., Word, Adobe PDF Reader), check the page setup or layout settings.
• Ensure the page size is set to Legal and that the margins are configured correctly.
• Make sure that document scaling settings are set to 100% or Actual Size rather than Fit to Page or Shrink to Fit.

**3. Inspect Printer Paper Handling

• Confirm that the legal-size paper is correctly loaded in the printer’s paper tray. Ensure it’s aligned properly and that the tray guides are set to the correct paper size.
• Refer to the printer’s manual to confirm how to load legal-size paper correctly and any specific settings or adjustments required for handling different paper sizes.

**4. Update Printer Drivers and Software

• Visit the HP Support website and download the latest drivers for your printer model. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause issues with paper handling and print settings.
• Check for firmware updates for your printer on the HP Support website. Firmware updates can resolve bugs and improve functionality.

**5. Perform a Printer Calibration

• Some printers have a calibration option to help align print settings with paper sizes. Refer to your printer’s manual or settings menu to find calibration options.

**6. Check Application-Specific Settings

• Different applications may handle printing differently. Check the settings in the specific application you are using to ensure they are set correctly for legal-size printing.
• Always use the print preview feature to check how the document will appear before printing. This can help you spot any issues with scaling or margins.

**7. Test with Different Documents:

• Print a test page or a different legal-size document to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is with the specific document or a general issue with the printer.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support