Brother Printers are a giant PITA!!

[Jadriancz]

I have a MFC-J4620DW printer that I have been trying to use the manual feed tray for 80# and 100# (8.5 x 11) cardstock to print.
The original file calls for A4 paper but even with custom scale or fit settings it only gives me an error that the paper size is not the correct size and will not print.
However if I go down to a 65# cardstock (thickest the tray feed supports) and use the auto paper tray it has no issue printing the file using the fit or custom scale settings.

Anyone have any suggestions to get around this before I decide to dump the brother and go with a different brand?

[John Bowden]

Is the file a PDF?

Can you use Photoshop to make it fit on an 8.5x11 sheet?

[Jadriancz]

Originally Posted by John Bowden

Is the file a PDF?

Can you use Photoshop to make it fit on an 8.5x11 sheet?

Yes it is a pdf file..

[SmallRealities]

A couple of questions: (may seem obvious, but...)

From the acrobat print window:
1. Are you selecting Shrink Oversized Pages?
2. Is Choose paper source by PDF page unchecked?
3. Under Properties (for the printer) did you tell it manual feed?

[airdave]

Not sure if I understand completely, but when you rescale,
you also have to manually specify the correct Paper size
based on the object layout.
Doesn't matter whats in the tray.

I have a Brother printer (that I love).
I have had the occasional issue where I have tried to send a specific size thing through the printer
...say, an Index card layout
...and I want it just to print on a standard letter page
...but because the "layout" is Index card dimensions,
the printer tells me "the paper is not the correct size"
even though the Letter sheet is big enough.

I have to physically tell it to print on the same size paper as per the artwork layout
(regardless of what is in the tray).

Does that help?

[ringmaster]

Years back, Brother got caught red handed, programming printers to shut down when they still had ink. Brother gave me twenty five bucks not to join a class action suit, or fifty off a new printer. I took the cash.

[Jadriancz]

Originally Posted by SmallRealities

A couple of questions: (may seem obvious, but...)

From the acrobat print window:
1. Are you selecting Shrink Oversized Pages?
2. Is Choose paper source by PDF page unchecked?
3. Under Properties (for the printer) did you tell it manual feed?

1) It doesnt matter which I select.. shrink, fit or custom size..the first 2 show it as 92% and even setting the same in custom option it will not print because the error.. (Which only shows on the printers touch panel, not within the print screen on the computer)
2) no it is not checked (3rd pic)
3) There is NO manual feed option in the printer properties either on the basic or advanced settings. (1st & 2nd Pics) and before its asked...yes, I have already checked for driver and software updates for the printer.

[JohnM]

I can't help ya, but I feel for ya Bro'. I too have a Brother printer (MFC-J8510DW) that has given me sterling service for the last couple o' years until a week or so back.

Fibre-optic technology has at last reached this neck of the woods and I have eagerly embraced it. It hasn't reached the house yet, it's only at the exchange so far, but my DL/UL speeds have gone though the roof.

BUT ... to achieve an FO connection I have had to change my internet/phone supplier. This simply meant, on the appointed day, swapping my existing Modem/router for the new company's one, and the new service clicked in great an hour later.

What's this got to do with the printer you ask? Well, ever since the modem/router change, I can see the printer OK as a USB to my PC, and it is also seen via the ethernet and WiFi connections of the router. BUT all three connections report that the printer is 'off line' No, it ain't switched off. It functions perfectly as a stand alone photocopier, I just can't throw anything at it from any of the PCs on my network.

I know it's gonna turn out to be something simple, but what little hair I've got is thinning rapidly right now.

[Vermin_King]

I have had fantastic results from my Brother MFC-J430W, cheapo printer, for three years. Have you guys calls Brother tech support? I've had issues in the past with the printers not showing as active, and in just a couple minutes they had me going again. Not even a long hold on the phone. I imagine they can walk you through the printing issue, too.

[Lighter]

Originally Posted by Jadriancz

2) no it is not checked (3rd pic)

However "FIT" is checked.
Choose "ACTUAL SIZE" in the PDF box.