Printer cannot print a scanned passport

[satyanbajaj]

So I have been able to scan ID's, take regular prints, make copies. However whenever I try printing a scanned copy of any passport, it ends up printing just the text.

This happens only for Passports and no other documents which are used as ID's like Driver's License or Voters ID or even my Hospital card. Can't take a copy of it or print a scanned copy.

BTW trying to do it in B/W and not in color. Have stopped using color completely.

[Dragon-Fur]

@satyanbajaj

Ideas...

Generally, when the printer cannot translate the content, it will have trouble scanning that content as a "document" (PDF).  This results in missing areas on the scanned output.  This might be true when scanning bank statements, train / plane tickets, various files you find on the Internet, documents that use odd fonts that are not supported by the Operating System.

Try scanning the content as an image (.JPG) file.

Scanning as an image does not require the printer to "translate" what it "sees".

Be Aware:

There is the possibility that the document is protected from being completely scanned.  For example, trying to make a direct copy of some documents results in a "changed" background when the content is scanned / copied.    This level of protection allows the document to be copied but renders the copied (paper) version of that document unusable as an "original" of the document content.

Another example: 

Copying (US) currency "at size" is considered a form of counterfeit.  Modern Printers (likely) include protection that prevents one from making a direct copy of currency.  Exact copies of currency might be considered fraudulent and printers are hardwired to block the copy action.  One can copy currency at a reduced size to provide a paper record. 

Possible actions to allow copy / scan of protected documents:

Copy / Scan at a reduced size

Copy as an image - and perhaps "also" at the reduced size

NOTE:

This is an incomplete discussion of the subject; the answer is not guaranteed to resolve the issue.

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[satyanbajaj]

@Dragon-Fur Thank you for the quick response.

The thing is, I am able to scan it properly, but when I try to print, it's just the text that prints without the passport photo or the background.
Maybe there is some kind of protection here since it doesn't seem to happen with any other document except the passport.

I am even unable to make a b/w copy of it.

We are needed to give a copy of our passport whilst applying for a Visa for travelling abroad which is why I tried it.

[Dragon-Fur]

@satyanbajaj

I have seen something somewhat similar recently when printing a Death Certificate - the document copy prints OK; the Security paper used to create the original document causes the background on the copy to change from the original mottled background to a repeated Void pattern.   Acceptable as a "copy" when requested by legal institutions - the document copy is obviously not the original.   

I have not seen a refusal to print the content at all when the file-type is an image (.jpg).  In this case, it is not normally needful to translate the information. 

There might be built in restrictions when printing the content in document / PDF format.   This is relatively common; the reasons and security methods vary with the document (its type, origin, security level).

Depending on the meta-data in the image file, there might even be restrictions when printing image (.jpg) files.  This is not a subject in which I am proficient - anything I say here is based on research.

Ideas

• Scan the content as an image > save as SomeFileName.jpg > open the file in Paint (mspaint) > Print the content at (for example) 98% of original size.

General Example:

Open file in  Paint 

File > Print > Print Preview > Page Setup > 

Under Scaling

CHECK "Adjust to"

Enter 98 (in the percentage box)

OK (to close the Page Setup Menu)

Click Print

OR...

• INSERT the image into a Word file (do NOT use copy / paste) > Save the Word file document > Print
• Take the file (or your passport) to at trusted friend / business and ask for help printing the data

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