Printing Problems

How to Fix Return Address Not Printing on Word Envelopes

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to troubleshoot why the delivery address prints correctly on envelopes in Microsoft Word, but the return address is completely missing or fails to print.

How to Fix Return Address Not Printing on Word Envelopes

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing envelopes with both delivery and return addresses using an Epson printer and Microsoft 365 or Office 2019.
Observed behavior: The return address prints correctly on a standard full sheet of paper, but fails to print when physical envelopes are loaded into the printer.

Before you start

Before adjusting margin settings, print the envelope layout on a standard sheet of paper to confirm if the return address is being generated by Word but falling outside the printable area of the physical envelope.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Envelope Omit and Margin Settings

Ensure that the return address is not accidentally set to be omitted and verify the margin positioning settings.

Microsoft Word includes a built-in feature to omit return addresses on pre-printed envelopes. If this is toggled on, or if the margins are pushed outside the printable zone, the address will not appear.

Open Envelope Dialog

Navigate to the Mailings tab in Microsoft Word and click on Envelopes in the Create group.

Uncheck the Omit Option

In the Envelopes and Labels window, verify that the 'Omit' checkbox next to the Return Address text box is completely unchecked.

Verify Position Settings

Click on the Options button and navigate to the Envelope Options tab. Under the Return Address section, ensure that the 'From left' and 'From top' settings are set to Auto, or manually increase the values to ensure they fall within your printer's printable margins.

Test with standard paper: After changing these settings, perform a test print on standard A4 or Letter paper to verify the position relative to the delivery address before wasting actual envelopes.

Solution 2

Update Office and Printer Drivers

Outdated software can cause unexpected formatting and compatibility issues with specific envelope sizes on Epson printers.

Solution 3

Check Envelope Size and Feed Orientation

Incorrect hardware feed settings tell the printer to print the return address off the physical edge of the envelope.

WPS Office Writer

Print Envelopes Flawlessly with WPS Office Writer

WPS Office provides an intuitive and highly reliable Writer application that handles envelope formatting and printing perfectly. With precise margin controls and seamless printer integration, you can easily set up and print delivery and return addresses without unexpected layout cropping.

1. Open the Envelopes Tool: Launch WPS Writer, navigate to the Mailings tab at the top of the screen, and click on the Envelopes icon.
2. Enter the Addresses: Type your Delivery address and Return address into the respective fields, double-checking that the 'Omit' box is unticked.
3. Configure Hardware Settings: Click Options to select the correct Envelope Size and verify the Feed Method accurately matches how envelopes are loaded into your printer tray.
4. Print the Envelope: Load the blank envelope into your printer according to the selected feed orientation and click Print.

Accurately prints both delivery and return addresses on all standard envelope sizesFully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx)Precise margin and feed orientation controls tailored to your hardwareFree, lightweight, and easy to use on both laptops and desktop computers

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my return address print perfectly on A4 paper but not on actual envelopes?

Envelopes use specific hardware feed paths and have strict margin limits. If the return address is placed too close to the edge, it may fall into the printer's 'unprintable zone' for envelopes, causing the printer driver to crop or ignore it, even though it prints fine on standard paper.

How do I fix a return address that prints too high on the envelope?

In the Envelopes and Labels dialog, click Options. Under the Envelope Options tab, locate the Return Address section and increase the 'From top' and 'From left' values from Auto to a specific measurement (e.g., 0.5 inches) to force the text further inward.

Does the envelope size setting matter if the delivery address prints correctly?

Yes. Even if the delivery address appears centered, an incorrect envelope size setting can push the return address outside the printer's expected bounding box for that specific media type, causing it to be skipped entirely.

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