print word document on 4x6 index card

Question

I'm having issues printing on a 4x6 index card. It says that I can't print on the right and top 1.5 inches. I used to be able to make the margins .25 on all sides and it printed. Now it won't let me use that. Why not! I've even tried giving it .5 on all sides, but it still won't work. on a 4x6 card losing 1.5 inches doesn't give much available space.

Answer 1

Hello Carol,

Thank you for reaching out about the issue with printing on a 4x6 index card I understand how frustrating it can be when something that worked before suddenly stops working especially when you need that extra space for your content. The reason this is happening is that Word and your printer driver may now be enforcing stricter margin requirements to prevent printing outside the printable area which can vary depending on the printer model and driver updates.

A good alternative resolution is to try setting up your document in Word using a custom page size and then selecting the “Borderless” or “Edge-to-Edge” printing option in your printer settings if your printer supports it. This feature is often available for photo printing and can help reduce or eliminate the enforced margins. If your printer does not support borderless printing another option is to design the document at the correct size in Word and then print it as a scaled image using the printer’s photo printing mode which usually allows smaller margins than standard text printing.

Would you like me to guide you through checking if your printer supports borderless printing or help you set up the custom size in Word?

I hope this answer is helpful if you have further questions feel free to reply back

Regards,

Marcelo

Answer 2

I ended up changing from 4x6 to 4x6/10x15cm and it worked. Crazy. I will check printer settings for edge to edge though. Thanks so much to everyone that responded!!

Answer 3

It sounds like you are encountering limitations with the printer's settings or the printer driver when trying to print on a 4x6 index card. Many printers have minimum margin requirements that can prevent printing too close to the edges of the paper. The error message you are receiving about not being able to print on the right and top 1.5 inches suggests that the printer is enforcing these minimum margins.

Here are a few steps you can try to resolve this issue:

1. Check Printer Settings: Go into your printer settings and see if there are options related to margin settings or custom paper sizes. Ensure that your printer is set to accept 4x6 paper.
2. Update Printer Driver: Sometimes, updating the printer driver can resolve issues with printing on custom sizes. Check the manufacturer's website for the latest driver.
3. Use Custom Paper Size: If your printer supports it, create a custom paper size in the printer settings for 4x6 cards. This may allow you to set smaller margins.
4. Print from a Different Application: If you're using Word, try printing from another application to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is with Word or the printer settings.
5. Check for Printer Limitations: Some printers, especially older models, may have limitations on the types of media they can print on. Consult your printer's manual for specifications regarding printing on index cards.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting the printer's documentation or support resources for further assistance.

Answer 4

Are you using a page size or printing as a label?

Index cards are offered by suppliers like Avery and Dennison and these are printed using label definitions.

I have printed individual cards pretending that it is a larger page size that is normally used by my printer and setting the margins on the page to actually only print on the card. This takes a bit of trial and error.

You may want to try setting your printer driver to be Microsoft Print to PDF to set up your card and see what you get. Then switch to your physical printer's driver.