Printer prints first page of 5x7 paper half way up and second page perfectly. how do i fix it?

[GellyBean17]

I am trying to print my wedding invitations on 5x7 300 GSM paper. My dell is set for the 5x7 size and heavy cardstock setting. My printer is also set to that setting. The invite is double sided front and back. The first page to print always starts halfway up the page. the second page to print it always perfect. how to I fix it so that the first page prints where it is supposed to? I have spent 10 hours trying to figure it out so far I need help!

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @GellyBean17,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

It seems like your HP OfficeJet Pro 8034e is struggling with misalignment or misfeeding on the first page when printing on 5x7 300 GSM cardstock, while the second page comes out fine. To troubleshoot this, you might want to focus on a few key areas.

Begin by ensuring the paper is loaded correctly. For heavier cardstock like 300 GSM, feeding one sheet at a time can sometimes help. If your printer has a manual feed option, it may provide more precise handling compared to the regular paper tray.

Next, check your printer settings. Adjust properties such as paper size (set to 5x7 inches), paper type (select Heavy Cardstock or Other Specialty Paper), print quality (choose Best), and turn off Borderless Printing. If you're printing PDFs, you might want to use Adobe Acrobat and enable "Print as Image" in the advanced settings, as this often resolves misalignment issues.

Running a printhead alignment through your printer's maintenance settings can correct any positioning errors. Also, consider experimenting with different software; some programs like Adobe Acrobat or the HP Smart App might handle page alignment better than others.

Another step worth trying is updating your printer's firmware and drivers from the HP Support website. If the problem persists, manually adjust the page position in Print Preview by moving the content slightly downward. This ensures that the first page aligns correctly on the cardstock.

If you suspect the cardstock itself is contributing to the issue, testing a slightly lighter option, such as 260-280 GSM, could make a difference. Sometimes, printers have difficulty managing very thick or heavy paper.

Let me know how these steps work out for you or if there's anything else you'd like assistance with!

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,