Printing Problems

How to Fix Mail Merge Envelopes Printing in Portrait Instead of Landscape

Steve K Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

Custom 6-by-9-inch mail merge envelopes are printing in portrait orientation, despite appearing correctly as landscape in the document and print preview.

Fix Mail Merge Envelopes Printing in Portrait Instead of Landscape

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing custom-sized envelopes in bulk using the mail merge feature.
Observed behavior: The printer outputs the envelopes in portrait orientation instead of landscape, cutting off the return address and logo.

Before you start

Verify that your printer hardware supports custom 6-by-9-inch media and ensure the physical paper tray guides are snugly fitted against the envelopes before printing.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Printer Properties and Orientation Settings

Manually forcing the printer driver to use Landscape orientation can resolve conflicts between software document formatting and hardware output.

Even if the document is properly formatted in your word processor, the printer driver might default to portrait mode for custom paper dimensions. You must align the settings in both the document and the print dialog.

Set Custom Page Size

Go to Page Layout > Size > More Paper Sizes, and ensure the dimensions are set exactly to 6 inches for width and 9 inches for height.

Open Print Dialog

Press Ctrl + P to open the Print menu and select your target envelope printer.

Configure Printer Properties

Click on 'Printer Properties' or 'Preferences' located just below the printer name. Find the Orientation setting and change it from Portrait to Landscape.

Adjust Printer Properties and Orientation Settings

Verify Print Preview: After applying the printer properties, check the print preview once more to ensure the envelope layout hasn't shifted before clicking Print.

Solution 2

Use Direct Print for Mail Merge

Printing directly from the Mail Merge wizard prevents formatting resets that can occasionally occur when generating a new combined document.

Solution 3

Update Printer Drivers

Outdated or generic printer drivers may fail to process custom envelope dimensions and orientation overrides properly.

Easily Create and Print Mail Merge Envelopes with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers a highly intuitive Mail Merge feature with precise page layout controls, ensuring your custom envelopes print flawlessly without orientation errors. It is a powerful, lightweight word processor that gives you full control over document dimensions and printer settings.

1. Set Up Envelope Layout: Open WPS Writer, go to the Page Layout tab, and set your custom envelope size under Paper Size.
2. Start Mail Merge: Navigate to the References tab, click Mail Merge, and link your data source to insert the necessary recipient address fields.
3. Print to Envelopes: Click Merge to Printer, ensure your printer properties are set to Landscape, and print your envelopes seamlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) formatsIntuitive Mail Merge wizard tailored for bulk envelope printingPrecise page setup and printer orientation configuration optionsFree and lightweight office suite for Windows, Mac, and Linux

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my print preview look correct but the envelope prints wrong?

The software print preview displays the document's internal formatting. However, if the physical printer hardware settings or driver default to a different orientation for custom sizes like 6x9 inches, the hardware output will override the software preview.

How do I add a custom 6x9 inch envelope size?

Navigate to Page Layout > Size > More Paper Sizes. In the Paper tab, select Custom Size from the drop-down menu, enter 6 inches for the width and 9 inches for the height, then apply it to the document.

Does updating the printer driver actually fix orientation issues?

Yes. Generic or outdated drivers often lack specific instructions for handling non-standard paper sizes and orientation overrides. Installing the latest manufacturer driver ensures your printer accurately interprets the exact print command sent from the software.

Document & File Issues