Help picking out a new printer

Hi everyone, I’m running into a frustrating issue with my HP Photosmart 4480. Basically, I have a specific ID card template—I scanned the original and built a Word document to fill out the details—but I can't get it to print correctly.
The headache started right after I picked up this printer. Every time I try to print the ID (which should be roughly 3.8" x 5.6"), the printer throws an error saying the paper size is wrong because it seems stuck on its own preset standards.
I’ve tried everything in Microsoft Word—tweaking every possible setting and even creating a fully custom layout down to the exact millimeter—but nothing works. It just refuses to cooperate.
What’s really annoying is that my old printer (an HP PSC 1110) handles this perfectly without any drama. This leads me to believe the problem lies entirely within this new machine; it’s being far too "smart" for its own good by rejecting the dimensions and blocking the print job entirely!
I’ve been scouring various tech forums for days now with zero luck. Honestly, I’m at the point where I’d buy a completely different printer just to get this job done. Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple, no-frills printer—something that won't try to overthink things or complicate a basic task?

Thanks!

Kyle Martin67 said:Hey guys, I’m hitting a wall with my HP Photosmart 4480. Basically, I have this driver's license that I scanned to make a template in Word so I can just print data directly onto it.
The headache started when I got this printer. Every time I try to print the ID (dimensions are 9.87cm x 14.4cm), the printer throws an error saying the paper size is wrong because it’s stuck on its preset sizes.
I’ve tried messing with every possible setting in Word and even tried making a totally custom layout down to the exact millimeter, but nothing works.
Since my old printer (an HP PSC 1110) handles this perfectly without any drama, I'm pretty sure the issue is this new machine. It’s being way too picky about the dimensions and won't let me finish the job no matter what!
I’ve been digging through forums for days with zero luck. Honestly, I’m ready to just go out and buy a new printer just to get this task done, but I really just want a recommendation for something basic—something that won't overthink things and make my life difficult!

Thanks!

Check this out.

ID CARD

That’s probably your best bet to fix this. It works with both Canon and HP, provided the printer has a tray for those printable CD/DVD inserts.

That’s definitely a solid solution, but here’s the catch—I’ve already ordered a massive stack of those cardboard "cards"—you know, the membership IDs and registration slips.
So now I’m stuck trying to figure out how to actually print onto them.
Since I can manage it on my old printer, I know it’s technically possible—I just need to find a setup that would allow my client to handle it themselves without a headache.

I did consider taping the cards onto an A4 sheet, but there's a snag: most printers check the paper size the moment they grab it, right before the ink even hits the page.
In theory, if I could somehow secure my "card" to the top right corner of an A4 sheet and feed the whole thing through, I might be able to trick the machine into printing everything perfectly.
But let's be real—when you're dealing with fifty IDs a day, that kind of workaround isn't sustainable.

Thanks!

Kyle Martin67 said:That’s a solid plan, but there’s a catch—I’ve already ordered a ton of these cardboard "cards" (registration forms and membership IDs).
So now I’ve gotta find a way to print directly onto them.
Since I can pull it off on my old printer, I know it's doable; I just need to find a setup my client can actually use themselves.

I thought about maybe using an A4 sheet as a carrier, taping my card to it, but the issue is the printer checks the paper size right when it "grabs" it, just before the ink hits.
Basically, if I taped my "card" to the top right corner of an A4 sheet and fed the whole thing in, I might be able to trick the machine into printing it just fine.
But when you're dealing with 50 IDs a day, that's just not a sustainable workflow...

Thanks!

Look, you could grab a Canon IP 4950 + Ecoo refill set and a resetter. Or even an HP Photosmart 4 ???. You could cut out a custom template from a standard CD/DVD tray. It gets you the same result, except the print won't last and it definitely isn't waterproof. Printing on actual PVC cards is way higher quality.

Your other move is to go with a Canon IP 1800 or 1600 plus a CISS. You could cut a window into some heavy cardstock to slide the paper Driver's license inside. Then, on the back, use some masking tape as a backing to make sure the card doesn't shift around.

And that's pretty much it.

Kyle Martin67 said:The headache started right after I picked up this printer—whenever I try to print an ID card (roughly 3.9 x 5.7 inches), the machine throws a fit about the paper size because it's stuck on these pre-set industry standards.
Thanks!

Does the printer actually grab the card once you hit print, only to realize the dimensions are off and spit it back out? Also, what OS are we dealing with here—Windows, macOS, something else?

Take a look at this link, might help http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...=3418705#N1512