Problems printing on cardstock

[markrallen]

We have been using this printer for a few weeks, so far it has worked great.

I am having trouble printing duplex on cardstock from a PDF, when I print, it seems to mess up the part of the document. It looks like the text and images are just folded on top of each other or its blurry.

I have tried to print from multiple devices, it happens from all machines. I have printed multiple documents, it happens on all documents, I have tried two different types of cardstock, a 65lb 175g and a 110lb 199g, the issues are the same on both

The documents print flawlessly on regular paper.

I have run the diagnostics available online, everything prints fine.

Where else should I go with this?

[Dragon-Fur]

@markrallen

Idea...

Edits - Correction / Clarification 

The HP document on the subject:

How to Print on Both Sides of the Paper (Duplex) (Mac)

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A quick check of the "how-to" instruction document indicates that duplex printing is restricted to lighter weight paper / media.

Partial Excerpt from the "How To" Document:

To avoid paper jams, do not print on both sides of transparencies, envelopes, photo paper, glossy paper, paper lighter than 60 g/m2 (16 lb) and paper heavier than 105 g/m2 (28 lb).

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Conclusion

Based on the documentation, duplex printing is not supported beyond the stated weight limitations.

My experience with the Officejet Pro 8740 and Windows 10 Pro V1809,  indicates that duplex printing does work using HP Brochure Matte at 180 gsm using at least (PDF) Adobe Reader DC and / or Avery Design and Print software.

Reminder:  One person's experience (especially when printing beyond the specified limitations), does not provide proof that the device supports the same action for everyone.

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

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Product Information, more

HP OfficeJet Pro 8730 All-in-One Printer series

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[markrallen]

thank you for the response, I have fooled with all those settings and am not convinced that the printer is not designed to do cardstock through the duplex. Is there a way to verify that? The thing that made this clear is that I downloaded and installed all the most current drivers and software from HP and it grays out the cardstock option for two sided printing. I can manually override it by saying choose from the tray and not specify cardstock but then it has tons of errors putting through cardstock in the duplexer. when i tried any more than about 4-5 pages, it started getting stuck, printing skewed, printing twice on one side, all kinds of issues. I just really need to find out if this printer is supposed to be able to handle cardstock in the duplexer at all. I haven't been able to find that info. Seems like it should say only paper in the duplexer on the web in descriptions for this printer. It is a great printer exccept for this.

[Dragon-Fur]

@markrallen

Well, I don't have a Mac and I cannot verify your findings on the Mac software.

The multitude of errors is a likely indication that the printer is not handling the override instructions.

For example,

If selecting the Media type does not allow the option to print duplex, then the option to print on cardstock and select duplex is not supported. 

"Getting around" the setup by not selecting the correct Media is useful ONLY to the extent that it appears to let you have what you want.  The reality is that the printer is not set up to print on the heavier cardstock unless you tell the printer that is what you are using.  The rollers are set closer together for regular paper - at some point shoving card stock through the printer when it is set for regular paper may jam, stick half way, cause printing content to appear skewed or incomplete.

I am sorry; I cannot answer your question in the way you wish. 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

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

[BrianRH]

There appears NOT to be a solution from HP on this issue for the Designjet 8730 !  Although its a great printer for many things, for printing any cardstock, or ANY HP photopapers  it is not!  It cannot even print photos on any heavy photo paper!!  HP needs to fix this but they do not listen, especially to questions from the community!  This question has been out there for 4 months without any outside help or inside help from HP.  I'm going back to Epson printers and Canon printers.