Smart tank 5103-printing with a hiccup in the paper feet and leaving 1 inch of blank area

[Callico]

Hp 5103 smart tank-printing same color heavy pictures on greeting card glossy/matt paper.  The printer is taking some of the pages, sticking it back in and doing something strange with it, so the page ends up with a 1" area where it didn't print, then has the audacity to say i have a paper size mismatch.  Any ideas???

[Callico]

I just posted and I wanted to see other posts, but it gives me 3 lines and no way to see the rest of the message.  Will my post be seen?

[ferRX]

Hi @Callico 

To print photos please follow steps from the next video:

>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrczLTyJumM

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* Click YES   to say thank you, 

* Click Accepted as Solution when question is answered.

Best regards,

ferRX.

[Garp_senchau]

@Callico, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Check Paper Type & Tray Settings

Make sure you're selecting the correct paper type in the print dialog. If you're using “Greeting Card” paper or heavier cardstock, set a matching paper type (or at least “Cardstock / Heavy Paper”) if your driver or app has that.

In HP Smart or the printer’s web interface, confirm the paper size settings match the exact size of your greeting cards (e.g., 4×6, 5×7, etc.). A mismatch here often causes “Paper Size Mismatch” errors.

Use the rear / back feed tray (if available) for heavier media — this generally gives a straighter path and avoids awkward paper sensing.

Clean the Paper Pickup Rollers

Power off the printer.

Remove all the card stock from the input tray.

Look for the paper pickup rollers (rear + inside). Use a lint-free cloth slightly moistened with distilled water to clean them, gently rotate the rollers as you clean.

Let them dry 5–10 minutes before printing.

Flex (Loosen) Your Stack of Cards

Take your stack of greeting cards and gently flex them in a U-shape (one way, then flip and flex the other way). That helps reduce static and separates the sheets so the feed rollers can grab them cleanly.

Tap the edges on a flat surface so that the stack is even and aligned.

Reload the cards so they are straight, not slanted or curled.

Make Sure Paper Guides Are Adjusted Correctly

In the tray, adjust the width and length guides so they touch the cards gently. If the guides are too tight or too loose, the printer may misread the paper size.

Be careful not to deform the cards or push them in at an odd angle.

Reduce the Number of Cards Loaded

Try printing when there are only a few cards in the tray instead of a full stack. Sometimes overloading causes misfeeds or the printer to partially grab the sheet, then detect a “mismatch.”

Update Firmware / Driver

Make sure your 5103’s firmware is up to date. Outdated firmware can mis-handle heavier or non-standard media in the feed path.

Reinstall or update the printer driver / HP Smart app, especially when using specialty media like greeting cards. Ensure the driver is set to the correct card size and type.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,