Microsoft Word 2013 provides a simple and reliable way to create and print envelopes for business mail, personal letters, and official correspondence. The built-in Envelopes feature helps you control address placement, envelope size, and printer feed direction so your envelopes print cleanly and accurately.
This guide explains how to print an envelope in Word 2013, including envelope setup, size selection, printing options, printer loading, alignment adjustments, and solutions to common printing issues.
What You Need Before You Start
Before printing an envelope in Word 2013, make sure you have:
A printer that supports envelope printing
Flat, printer-compatible envelopes (inkjet or laser)
The correct envelope size
A working printer connection
Printing one test envelope first helps prevent wasted supplies.
Supported Envelope Sizes in Word 2013
| Envelope Type | Size |
|---|---|
| #10 | 4.125 × 9.5 inches |
| DL | 110 × 220 mm |
| C6 | 114 × 162 mm |
| C5 | 162 × 229 mm |
You can also create custom envelope sizes if your envelope is not listed.
How to Set Up an Envelope in Word 2013
The envelope tool is located in the Mailings tab on the Ribbon.
Follow these steps:
Open Microsoft Word 2013.
Click the Mailings tab.
In the Create group, click Envelopes.
Enter the Delivery Address.
Enter the Return Address (optional).
Click Options to adjust envelope settings.
The Envelopes and Labels dialog box controls all envelope formatting.
Envelope Options and Printing Options Explained
When you click Options, two key tabs appear.
Envelope Options Tab
Use this tab to:
Select the envelope size
Change the font for the delivery address
Change the font for the return address
Always choose the size that matches your physical envelope.
Printing Options Tab
This tab controls how the envelope feeds into your printer.
You can:
Choose face-up or face-down printing
Select the feeding direction
View a loading diagram for your printer
Follow the diagram carefully to avoid misalignment.
How to Load the Envelope
Envelope loading depends on your printer, but these general steps work for most models:
Turn off the printer.
Open the main or manual feed tray.
Place one envelope in the tray.
Adjust the paper guides snugly.
Keep the envelope flat and unbent.
Turn the printer back on.
Using one envelope at a time improves reliability.
Print an Envelope in Word 2013
After completing the setup:
Click Print in the Envelopes dialog box.
Word sends the envelope to your printer as a single-page job.
You can also click Add to Document to save the envelope layout for future use.
When Word Creates a Separate Envelope Document
Sometimes Word 2013 inserts the envelope as a new page or document.
This is normal behavior.
You can:
Save the envelope as a template
Reuse it for future mailings
Edit the addresses as needed
Printing Envelopes from an Existing Letter
If you already have a letter open:
Go to Mailings > Envelopes.
Word may automatically pull the address from the document.
Review the address formatting.
Click Print.
This saves time when sending mail to multiple recipients.
Printing Multiple Envelopes Using Mail Merge
Word 2013 supports envelope mail merge for bulk mail.
Basic steps:
Click Mailings > Start Mail Merge > Envelopes.
Choose your envelope size.
Select your recipient list.
Insert address fields.
Complete the merge and print.
Mail merge is useful for business and event mailings.
Print Alignment Tips
To keep your addresses properly positioned:
Confirm the envelope size
Follow the loading diagram
Print a test envelope
Adjust margins slightly
Keep scaling at 100%
Small adjustments usually solve alignment issues.
Common Problems and Fixes
Envelope Will Not Feed
Use the manual feed tray
Load only one envelope
Avoid thick or padded envelopes
Address Prints Off-Center
Recheck the envelope size
Adjust margin settings
Confirm feed direction
Ink or Toner Smudges
Use printer-compatible envelopes
Let ink dry before stacking
Avoid glossy paper
Wrong Tray Selected
Open printer properties
Choose the correct paper source
Best Print Settings Checklist
Paper Size: Match envelope size
Orientation: Based on loading diagram
Tray: Manual or multipurpose
Paper Type: Plain / Envelope
Scaling: 100%
Can You Print a Logo on an Envelope in Word 2013?
Yes, logos can be added to envelopes in Word 2013.
Tips for best results:
Place logos in the top-left area
Leave space from the edges
Avoid the flap area
Use high-quality images
Simple designs produce cleaner prints.
Final Tips
Printing envelopes in Word 2013 is straightforward once the correct size, feed method, and printer settings are selected. A quick test print can save time and prevent wasted supplies.
This guide covers everything you need to know about envelope printing in Microsoft Word 2013 for accurate, professional results.