how can I print a message on a post card and do it multiple times?

[brightsnow]

I am using an HP OfficeJet 4655 printer and would like to print a message on one side of a standard US Mail post card.  Has anyone done this before?

[Dragon-Fur]

@brightsnow 

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@brightsnow wrote:

I am using an HP OfficeJet 4655 printer and would like to print a message on one side of a standard US Mail postcard.  Has anyone done this before?

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I am (relatively) sure someone has done this - pretty much anything that can be printed has been printed - and some of these projects are likely postcards of a particular size, printed on the Officejet 4655, running Windows 10, and perhaps using the same software you expect to use for your project.

I can provide guidelines to help you decide whether your printer, your setup, your postcards can be used.

Paper Size

I did not find a definition for "standard US Mail postcard".

I did find an article that explains the size requirements for both International and US Postal Service Postcard sizes:

Postcard Sizes - International Paper Sizes & Formats

This is important information.

Why?

"Size matters", for example, because this particular printer can print on 3x5 inch Index cards.  This size is smaller than the minimum size of card allowed to be mailed through the US Postal Service.

The printer supports (Index) Card media (kind of paper) in the input tray

Your printer Specifications sheet provides information on "what the printer can do"

Cards

Up to 200 g/m2 (110 lb index)

Up to 20 cards (17 mm [0.67 inch] stacked)

Generally,

If your "postcard" paper is "like" an Index card, you are likely fine.

But, "what if?"

Note the mention of "Index" - this is a particular type of media (paper) manufactured to ISO standards for that paper.  The actual definition of the type of paper is (somewhat) less important than whether your paper is within the weight class for the card Media.  For example, if your "postcard" paper is heavier than allowed for card / Index paper, you may not be able to fool the printer into taking it - this in spite of "photo paper" being allowed at heavier weights.  Why?  Printer can usually sense whether the paper is -- or is not -- photo paper.  This means you cannot use "really heavy card stock" and tell the printer the card paper is photo paper.

The printer supports several standard sizes in "card"

To avoid paper jams and other issues, make sure you are using the correct type and size of index cards or card stock when loading the input tray.

Paper type	Paper size
Index card	76.2 x 127 mm (3.0 x 5.0 inches)
Index card	102 x 152 mm (4.0 x 6.0 inches)
Index card	127 x 203 mm (5.0 x 8.0 inches)
A6 card	105 x 148.5 mm (4.13 x 5.83 inches)
A4 index card	210 x 297 mm (8.3 x 11.7 inches)
Index card letter	216 x 279 mm (8.5 x 11 inches)
Japanese postcard	100 x 148 mm (3.9 x 5.8 inches)
O**bleep**u Hagaki*	200 x 148 mm (7.8 x 5.8 inches)

*The product is compatible with plain and inkjet Hagaki from Japan Post only. It is not compatible with photo Hagaki from Japan Post.

The printer supports Custom Sizes

To avoid paper jams and other issues when printing on non standard custom paper sizes, make sure the dimensions fall within the parameters listed in the following table.

Paper size	Input tray	ADF
76.2 to 127 mm (3.0 to 5.0 inches) wide and 127 to 482.6 mm (13.0 to 19.0 inches) long	✔️
127 to 203 mm (5.0 to 8.5 inches) wide and 241 to 305 mm (9.5 to 12.0 inches) long		✔️

This means if your card paper meets the weight restrictions,

If your paper is an odd (non-standard) size,

You might be able to create a Custom Paper Size form to use for your project.

Reference

 Print Driver Settings Guide (Windows)

Section Paper type, size, and input tray settings

Excerpted

Paper size, type, and tray settings help ensure the printer properly handles and scales the print job to the paper. Paper type and size are included in some Printing Shortcuts, if available.

note:

When loading paper into the input tray, look for a prompt to confirm the paper type and size you loaded if your printer has a text or touchscreen control panel.

Setting	Locations
Paper type: Set the paper type you are using, such as HP photo paper, plain paper, or custom media, so the printer properly handles and prints on the paper. Select Automatic to let the printer automatically select the paper type, if available.	Type, Type is, Paper Type, or Media menu on the Paper/Quality or Features tab
Paper size: Select the paper size you loaded in the printer, such as 4 x 6, legal, or 8.5 x 11 plain paper. Check your printer specifications for supported paper sizes. Some newer printers support more paper options. Go to Creating Custom Paper Sizes for more information.	Size, Size is or Paper Size menu in Advanced Options, on the Paper/Quality or Features tab
Paper tray or source: Select the tray you loaded the paper into, if your printer has more than one tray. If available, use Automatically Select to pull from the main tray. If the main tray is empty, paper is pulled from another tray with paper.	Source, Source is or Paper source menu on the Paper/Quality or Features tab

==============================================================

General steps... 

Option:  Use Word to create your little document

• If necessary (and supported), create your Custom Paper Size form
• Remove the existing paper from the tray - Load the card paper into the tray (print side down, short side to back).  
• Check the printer control panel and set the paper size.  Not in list?  Select "Custom"
• Open Office Word
• Set the Layout > Size to match the size of your card paper
• Set the Orientation (useful for creating the card, paper is loaded into the printer "short side to back")
• Set the Margins (do not expect to use borderless, though some printers do support this (not covered here)
• Create content
• Save and Print

Examples (your exact dimensions and content are expected to be different):

Document_Word_A5_Setup_1

Test_Document_5X7_Word-Doc

Option - Use Avery Template / Software to create and print your project

Avery software is free, can be downloaded and installed on your PC (or Mac).

If there is a template for your card stock, you can find / select / use it to create your postcard content.

References

Dragon Document – Collection of Help, suggestions, and examples:

Printing Labels_Business-Cards_Cards

Print Labels, Business Cards, Cards, Booklet

Topics / Subjects, various, including:

• Preparation
• Labels, Cards, and Business Cards
  • Office Word
  • HP Photo Creations and Avery Templates
  • Avery Design and Print (through Windows 10) and Mac
    • Print from PDF feature
  • Avery Wizard for Word (through Windows 😎
• Printing and Printing Preferences – Notes
• Print Booklet
  • Foxit Reader - Booklet
  • Adobe Reader - Booklet
• Print on Inside of Greeting Card - Test
• Additional Help (Documents and Notes)

Need or want more information?  Search for additional solutions...

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

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type

HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), User Guides, Product Information, more

HP OfficeJet 4655 All-in-One Printer

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