When an envelope prints with the address rotated 90 or 180 degrees, the issue is usually caused by a mismatch between the document orientation, printer driver settings, and how the envelope is loaded in the tray. Envelopes feed differently than regular paper, so even one incorrect setting can cause sideways or upside-down printing.
This guide explains why envelopes print sideways, how to fix the problem step by step, and how to prevent it from happening again.
The Most Common Causes of Sideways Envelope Printing
Sideways or rotated printing typically happens because of:
Wrong orientation selected in the print dialog
Auto-rotate or auto-fit settings enabled
Incorrect feed direction in the printer
Envelope loaded in the wrong orientation
Long-edge vs short-edge confusion
Printer driver defaults set for letter paper
Any of these can rotate the print output.
Quick Fix Checklist
Try these quick fixes first:
Change orientation from Portrait to Landscape (or vice versa)
Set scaling to 100% / Actual Size
Disable auto-rotate or auto-fit options
Use the manual feed tray
Rotate the envelope 180° and test
Print one envelope at a time
Most rotation issues are solved with these steps.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Open your print settings.
Check the orientation (Portrait or Landscape).
Set scaling to 100%.
Disable auto-rotate or auto-fit options.
Load one envelope in the manual feed tray.
Follow the tray’s orientation diagram.
Print a test envelope.
If the text is still sideways, rotate the envelope physically and test again.
Orientation Settings That Matter
These settings control how the printer rotates content:
Orientation: Portrait or Landscape
Rotation: Auto vs Manual
Scaling: Must stay at 100%
Paper Size: Must match the envelope
Duplex: Off for envelopes
Duplex (two-sided) printing should always be disabled for envelopes.
Use the Two-Test Method
To quickly identify the cause:
Test 1: Change only the software orientation
Test 2: Keep the same settings and rotate the envelope physically
Whichever test fixes the issue shows where the problem was.
Check the Envelope Feed Direction
Incorrect feed direction causes rotation.
Make sure:
The flap is out of the print path
The envelope is aligned straight
You follow the printer’s tray diagram
Every printer model feeds envelopes differently.
Hardware and Envelope Factors
Physical issues can also affect rotation:
Curled envelopes may twist while feeding
Thick seams can shift alignment
Dirty rollers cause skewed feeds
Use flat, smooth envelopes for best results.
When to Use Labels Instead
If sideways printing continues:
Print the address on adhesive labels
Apply labels manually
Use standard flat envelopes
Labels eliminate feed-orientation problems.
Prevent Sideways Printing in the Future
Follow these best practices:
Save envelope presets
Always test orientation
Use manual feed for envelopes
Keep scaling at 100%
Disable duplex printing
Consistency prevents rotation issues.
Final Tips
Envelopes print sideways when orientation, feed direction, and printer settings do not match. By adjusting orientation, disabling auto-rotate, and testing envelope loading direction, you can fix sideways printing quickly and avoid wasted envelopes.
This guide covers the main reasons envelopes print sideways and how to correct it.