Unable to print heavy card stock

[shanafeg]

I'm trying to print some heavy card stock on my Envy 5055 printer.  The stuff printed fine on my previous printer, a DeskJet 712C, which I had to ditch because of lack of drivers when I upgraded from Win XP.  I'm trying to print legal size card stock.  Regular 24-28 lb paper prints fine, but not this.  But it doesn't jam.  Rather, the paper feeds through smoothly but the half the printing prints off the page.  I'm wondering if there's some way to trick the printer to align the paper correctly; it seems to think the page starts and stops at a different place than it actually does.  Any ideas?

[Dragon-Fur]

@shanafeg

The short version

 If the card paper is heavier than the printer specifications allow, the paper will jam, skew, or not print.

• Check the weight of the card paper.  It may be too heavy for the printer without breaking the weight limitation enough to actually jam inside the printer.
• and / or
• Check the Media type setting - set the Media type (kind of paper) to Index (if the paper is within the weight limitations for the printer).  

Specifications > Paper Handling

Media weight supported (metric)

A4: 60 to 90 g/m²; HP envelopes: 75 to 90 g/m²; HP cards: up to 200 g/m²; HP 10 x 15 cm photo paper: up to 300 g/m²

The longer version

Although the printer "new style" specifications do not fully identify the "card" paper type, that is the paper stock from which the specified card paper is made, I would guess (based on other printers in this price and feature category) that the paper stock from which this weight is derived is "Index" paper stock.  If this is the case, the "pound" paper equivalent of 200 g/m2 is 110lb paper.

Photo paper is rated to 300 g/m2 - this may not be helpful in that most printers won't let you "cheat" about claiming the paper is photo paper and then loading something else. 

HP Brochure matte paper is 180 g/m2 or 48lb Bond

Presentation paper is typically 120 g/m2 at 6mil .  (Stock not indicated, might be Text stock)

Bond, Index, Cover, and Text are examples of (ISO controlled) paper types used in manufacturing used to make different kinds of paper.

Index (the likley source stock of the card paper specifications) is not very heavy paper.  Think of the little Index cards that can be purchased in a package at the office supply store.  

I hope this makes sense.

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 ENVY 5055 All-in-One Printer

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[shanafeg]

"Check the Media type setting - set the Media type (kind of paper) to Index (if the paper is within the weight limitations for the printer)."

??

The printer panel for paper type (when you pull out and replace the paper tray) shows no option for "index," only plain, photo, and specialty glossy or matte finish. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@shanafeg

Understood.  

Adjust the Media type in the printer software and let the settings tell the printer what to do.

The weight of the paper is key - if your "heavy" weight card paper exceeds the limitations in the specifications, the settings won't matter.

Another consideration:

If the Index paper size "legal" is not listed, you might need to create a "custom size" form for your card paper. 

Start with a supported template for Index paper and create a custom paper size form for your legal size card paper.

Custom Form

1. Availability depends on printer model and software and Operating System / Version.
2. If the feature is at least partially supported the Custom Setup will be available in Devices and Printers OR in Printer Preferences.
3. If the feature is fully supported, the custom form can be created AND then used with the printer software.

• Devices and Printers > Print Server Properties

OR

• Printer Preferences > Print Dialog > Paper / Quality > Custom setting box

Example 1

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers >

Left-Click on your Printer one time to highlight >

Left-Click Print Server Properties (along the top ribbon)

Custom_Form_Index_Card_6x8

Example 2

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers >

Right-Click on your Printer > If necessary, select printer from drop down menu / list

Printing Preferences > tab Paper/Quality > Custom

Printing_Preferences_Quality-Paper_Custom_1

Depending on Printer Model / Software, changing the paper in the tray may require that the paper settings be adjusted on the printer control panel.

• Open Tray > Remove existing paper, load new Paper > Check printer control panel: “Modify” > select Paper Size or “Custom” > OK

Commentary

 I suppose you could try setting the paper type (in the printer control panel) to specialty matte.  In practice, I would guess that this is secondary to the need for the weight to be within the limitations and perhaps creating the Custom Paper Size form.

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[shanafeg]

don't find any option with the Envy 5055 printer for a custom size when I go to printer preferences.  The various papers listed do not include card stock.  Again, the card stock doesn't jam; the machine just prints only part of the image which then runs off the edge of the page.

[Dragon-Fur]

@shanafeg

I think that if the option for custom size is available at all, the form setup would have been found in Devices and Printers (example 1).

That aside, paper size does not fully answer the question feeds-but-does-not-correctly-print. 

Have you verified that that the paper is not heavier than the printer can handle?

What kind of file?

Software used to submit job to printer?

If I think of anything useful to add, I will post back.

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