This article will provide you with solutions to the HP printer not printing labels correctly problem.
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HP Printer Not Printing Labels Correctly [Reasons]
If your HP printer is not printing labels correctly, it could be due to any of the reasons below:
i. Either a header or footer was added to the label’s normal template. If this is the case, you need to rename the template.
ii. The printer properties page size setting isn’t the same as the label’s sheet page size. If you find this to be the reason for the problem, then you need to go to the printer properties of your HP printer and ensure that the page size setting matches the loaded label page size.
iii. A scaling option has been set in your print dialog’s zoom section. Therefore, you need to check the zoom section and confirm that the scaling option isn’t turned on.
iv. Poor handling of paper by your HP printer. Hence, the label slips when you try to feed it into your printer. You can correct this by cleaning the print path rollers.
Apart from the above reasons, not knowing how to print labels on HP printer is another reason why the labels don’t print correctly. Therefore, we will guide you on how to print labels on your HP printer below.
How to Print Labels on HP Printer
To print labels on HP printer, do the steps below:
Choose the Appropriate Label Paper – Step 1
There are different types of label paper according to size which includes shipping labels, folder labels, and mailing labels. Hence, you need to ensure that you choose the label paper that is appropriate for the print job you have in mind.
Also, it is generally recommended that you purchase pre-cut labels. The reason for this is that this kind of label paper is better efficient when used in printing.
Another thing you need to consider when choosing a label paper is your printer type. For instance, the label paper that will be used on an HP LaserJet printer will not be suitable for an HP inkjet printer. Therefore, always ensure that you choose a label that is best suited for the technology your HP printer operates on.
Examine the Label Paper – Step 2
The fact that you have chosen the appropriate label paper doesn’t mean that it ends there. Instead, you need to examine the sheets to be used and ensure that they are in good condition. This is necessary to prevent the occurrence of smears, jams, and overall harm to your HP printer.
Therefore, use only new label paper that is in perfect condition. If you find any sheet that isn’t full-sized or has missing labels or curled edges, do not load them into your printer. In case there is a sticky residue on the sheet’s printing surface, throw away that sheet as it leads to a clog in your printer.
Create the Label Design – Step 3
When it comes to creating a label design on Microsoft Word, there are so many templates you can choose from and work with. The templates make the design easy and simple.
How to Create a Label Design with Microsoft Word
To create a label design with Microsoft Word, do the following steps:
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
Step 2: Check the upper navigation bar and click on “Mailings”.
Step 3: Click on “Labels”.
Step 4: When the window for “Envelopes and Labels” opens, click on “Options”.
Step 5: Select the label brand you are using from the menu list for “Label Vendors”.
Step 6: Click on “Product number”.
Step 7: Click on “OK”.
You will be given an appropriate template that corresponds to your label type and brand. In case you don’t know the brand of your label or you don’t see it in the list, then you can create a design using the various available templates.
How to Create a Label from Templates with Microsoft Word
To create a label from templates with Microsoft Word, do the following steps:
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
Step 2: Click on “File”.
Step 3: Click on “New”.
Step 4: Look for a template that fits the project you intend to work on. For instance, you could choose from CD labels, folder labels, shipping labels, and mailing labels.
Alternatively, you can look for a template designed by the label paper manufacturer. You can check the packaging of the label paper to find out the website of the manufacturer where such templates can be found. Also, the templates provided by manufacturers are free to use.
Try out the Label – Step 4
You shouldn’t just go ahead and start printing on the label paper once you are done creating the design. Instead, you should first try out the label by printing it on regular plain paper.
Mark the paper sheet with a pen or marker at the lower corner. After that, load the plain paper the same way you would load a label paper.
Once the print is complete, check what side the mark you put on the paper is on. With this, you can decide how you will load the label paper to ensure the print comes out on the side you want.
The next thing you need to check is the label alignment. Check the printing on the page’s outside borders. To confirm that the paper is well aligned, place the test sheet of paper (plain paper) at the back of the label and then hold them together facing a bright light. When you do this, it will enable you to see if the paper is aligned as it should be.
Load your HP Printer with the Label Paper – Step 5
Before you load the label sheets into your HP printer, fan them like one would do a card deck. This will ensure that the sheets don’t stick to one another during printing. While you fan out the sheets, make sure you don’t bend the sheets.
The maximum number of sheets that you should load into your printer’s paper feeder or tray per time should not exceed 25 sheets. Load about 25 plain sheets of paper underneath the label paper in the tray. However, ensure that you don’t load your printer’s tray up to its full capacity.
Set your Print Settings – Step 6
The next thing you should do is to set your print settings. To do this, open the program you want to print from and then go to the print properties. Then set the print quality to “Normal” and the paper type to “Labels” if you find this option.
Once you have done that, check the print preview to find out how the label will be aligned. If you notice that in the print preview the label is misaligned, check the margins again in the settings for “Layout”. You can then adjust the margins as required.
This article: HP Printer Not Printing [Issues & Solutions] will guide you on how to solve other HP printer not printing issues.
Print – Step 7
After the print settings are set, click on the print button to print the labels. While the labels are printing, watch them closely as they are sent out of your printer.
In case you discover any error, cancel the job immediately to prevent a lot of labels from being misprinted. Now, head back to Microsoft Word and make some adjustments to fix the error you observed before you print the job again.
