Envelopes are harder for printers than plain paper. They are thicker at the seams, uneven where the flap folds, and on laser printers their glue has to survive the fuser's heat. Typical problems are jams, wrinkled corners, addresses printed upside down or off the edge, and flaps that seal themselves. This guide covers the setting and loading fixes that solve most of these, then the hardware adjustments some printers offer for envelopes.
What you might be seeing
- The address prints upside down, sideways or partly off the envelope
- Envelopes jam at the feed slot or crumple near the exit
- Corners and seams come out wrinkled
- Flaps seal shut after printing on a laser printer
Common causes
- Wrong size in the print settings
- If the software expects Letter or A4 paper, it places text where no envelope exists.
- Incorrect orientation
- Each printer expects a particular leading edge and flap position, shown on a small icon near the input.
- Unsuitable envelopes
- Clasps, windows, peel-off strips and thick seams may not be rated for printer use.
- Fuser heat and pressure
- On laser printers, the fuser can wrinkle envelopes or activate the flap glue.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order and test a print after each one. Most people are done within the first few steps.
Never put envelopes with metal clasps or exposed adhesive through a laser printer, since they can damage the fuser. Let a laser printer cool for about 30 minutes before moving fuser levers.
Follow the envelope loading icon
Look for a small icon on the tray, rear slot or manual feed slot that shows how to load envelopes. It tells you which edge enters first, whether the print side faces up or down, and where the flap should sit. Orientation varies between models, so trust your printer's icon rather than habit. If there is no icon, the user guide on the manufacturer's official website shows it.
Select the exact envelope size
In your word processor, set the page size to your envelope, such as Envelope #10 in the US or DL or C5 elsewhere. In Microsoft Word, use Mailings › Envelopes › Options to pick the size and see the feed method it expects. Then set Paper Size to the same envelope and Paper Type to Envelope in Printing Preferences or the macOS print dialog.
Feed envelopes through the recommended input
On many inkjets the right input is a rear slot or the main tray with its guides pulled in; on lasers it is usually the multipurpose or manual feed tray, which has the straightest path. Choose that input under Paper Source in the driver. Load a small batch, around five to ten envelopes, and set the guides so they touch the edges lightly.
Flatten and check each envelope
Before loading, press each envelope flat on a table, running your thumb along the edges and the folded flap to push out air and curl. Straighten bent corners. Skip envelopes with metal clasps, string ties, plastic windows or self-seal strips unless the box says they are safe for your printer type. Laser printers need envelopes labeled for laser use.
Test the orientation on plain paper
Draw an arrow pointing toward the printer on a plain sheet, and write UP on the side facing you. Load it the way you plan to load the envelope and print the address. The result shows which side the printer prints on and which edge it treats as the top, so you can position the real envelope correctly on the first try.
Use envelope levers and the rear exit on lasers
Many laser printers have envelope levers on the fuser, reached through the rear door once the printer has cooled for about 30 minutes. The envelope position lowers fuser pressure, reducing wrinkles and sealed flaps. Open the rear output door so envelopes exit straight. Return the levers to normal afterward, or toner on plain paper may not fuse properly.
Fine-tune the address position
If the address lands close to the right spot but slightly off, move the text box or adjust the address position in your word processor's envelope options instead of changing printer settings. If flaps keep sealing on a laser printer, use envelopes with laser-safe gum, load them flap open if your icon allows it, and do not stack printed envelopes while they are still warm.
How to keep it from happening again
- Buy envelopes labeled for your printer type
- Store envelopes flat under a light weight
- Save an envelope template with the correct size
- Return laser fuser levers to normal after envelope jobs
Common questions
Why does the address print in a corner of the envelope?
The software thinks it is printing on a full sheet of Letter or A4. It places the address where it would sit on that sheet, and only part of that area overlaps the envelope. Setting your exact envelope size in both the application and the printer settings fixes the placement.
Can I load a stack of envelopes in the main tray?
Some printers accept a small stack in the main tray, while others take envelopes only one at a time through a manual slot. The user guide lists the supported sizes and how many envelopes each input holds. Overloading is a common cause of jams because the seams make the stack uneven.
Why do envelopes print fine on an inkjet but wrinkle on a laser?
An inkjet does not heat the paper, so the envelope only passes through rollers. A laser printer's fuser applies heat and pressure to melt toner, and an envelope's layered seams wrinkle under that pressure. Envelope levers, the straight rear exit and laser-rated envelopes all reduce this.
This guide is general information written for common home and office printers. Menus and button names vary between models, so check your printer’s manual where a step differs. Printer Problems Solved is independent and not affiliated with any printer manufacturer. See our disclaimer.