HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP PageWide Enterprise - Set custom paper types using the Embedded Web Server or Web Jetadmin

HP Enterprise printers support up to 10 (previously 5) custom paper types also called User Types 1-10. Administrators can define these paper types in either Web Jetadmin or the Embedded Web Server (EWS).

The EWS is typically used to define User types for one printer at a time, while Web Jetadmin is used to define User types for multiple printers at one time.

NOTE:

UPD v5.0 first implemented support for the custom paper type feature User Types 1-5. Product-specific (discrete) drivers, and UPD v5.3.1 (and later), add support for User Types 6-10.

To update the printer's capabilities and obtain the latest custom paper type features, update the driver to the latest version.

To obtain the latest driver, go to www.hp.com/go/upd, or to obtain the product-specific driver, go to support.hp.com/drivers.

Why custom paper types?

Custom paper types are useful in a shared printer setting where custom settings are desired without affecting other users of the same printer. Also, pre-defined paper types, such as Letterhead, have default settings that are optimized for that particular paper type.

To avoid losing the optimal settings for pre-defined types, use custom paper types.

Step one: Define paper types

Custom paper types can only be added to the driver by using automatic configuration enabled by bi-directional communication. The custom paper types must already exist in the printer when the bi-directional query occurs.

To make sure the custom paper types exist in the printer, define them first in Web Jetadmin or the Embedded Web Server (EWS) using the steps below.

Web Jetadmin

Use the following steps to define paper types in Web Jetadmin.

Obtain the most current version of HP Web Jetadmin from www.hp.com/go/wja.
Open Web Jetadmin and define all custom paper types:
1. In the left pane, click Device Management, and then click All Devices.
2. Select the printers for which you want to create the custom paper type.
  
  NOTE:
  This feature is only available for HP Enterprise printers, and is not available for other HP LaserJet printers.
3. On the lower half of the screen, click the Configuration tab.
4. Expand the Device category, and then scroll to and select Media Type Administration.
  
  NOTE:
  If you do not have the latest version of Web Jetadmin, this feature is called Media Types.
5. Scroll to and select the check box next to Unspecified or User Type 1, and then type a name for the custom paper type.
  
  NOTE:
  Mode settings are not included in Web Jetadmin. To set a custom paper type to workaround print quality issues, use the Embedded Web Server.
6. When finished, click Apply.
7. Repeat step e for User Types 2-10 or the remaining Unspecified types.

Embedded Web Server (EWS)

Use the following steps to define paper types in the Embedded Web Server (EWS).

NOTE:

A firmware update might be required to obtain the latest features.

Open the EWS:
1. On your computer, open a Web browser, and in the address field, type the IP address exactly as it displays on the Configuration Page.
  
  NOTE:
  You can print a Configuration Page from the printer using the printer control panel.
  
  EXAMPLE OF AN IP ADDRESS IN A BROWSER ADDRESS LINE
2. Press Enter on the computer keyboard.
  
  The EWS Home page opens.
On the EWS Home page, click the Copy/Print tab on the top navigation bar.
In the left navigation pane, click Print Quality to expand the menu, and then click Adjust Paper Types.
Define all custom paper types:
1. Select the radio button next to User Type 1, and then click Modify.
2. Select the Enable check box, and then type a Name for User Type 1, such as the following examples:
  - Pre-printed form 123
  - Thin paper setting
  - Custom media ABC
  - High-humidity setting
3. In the Print mode drop-down list, select the paper type closest to the paper you are currently using.
4. Click Apply to save the setting.
5. Repeat the instructions in step 4 to define User Types 2-10.

Step two: Run the Automatic Configuration

Settings like custom paper types are automatically configured at driver installation within the product-specific (discrete) or Universal Print Driver (UPD) v5.0 (or later) when the bi-directional (bi-di) setting is enabled in the driver, and when the custom paper types (stored in the printer's firmware) are already defined using the EWS or Web Jetadmin (WJA).

NOTE:

Because network connection is most common for the EWS and Web Jetadmin, USB-connection steps are not listed here.

If the driver was installed prior to defining the custom paper types in the EWS/WJA, then follow these steps to run the Automatic Configuration feature using the Update Now option in Printer Properties to query the printer for the custom paper types defined previously.

In Windows, open Devices and Printers.
Select the UPD, and then click Printer Properties in the upper window, or right-click the printer and then click Printer Properties.
Click the Device Settings tab.
Under Installable Options, click the drop-down menu next to Automatic Configuration and select Update Now.

SELECT UPDATE NOW IN THE AUTOMATIC CONFIGURATION DROP-DOWN MENU
Click OK.

NOTE:
This will initiate the bi-directional communication process and can take a few minutes depending on the environment and configuration. When finished, the status will change to Off.

If the Automatic Configuration option is grayed out, then bi-directional communication is disabled. Contact the system administrator.
Click the General tab, click Preferences, and then click the Paper/Quality tab to view the paper types.

NOTE:
User Types 1-10 only appear in the driver after they have been enabled through the Embedded Web Server or Web Jetadmin. If the User Types you defined in EWS or Web Jetadmin are not visible after you update the Automatic Configuration, skip to the "Check the bi-di connection" section below and follow the steps provided.
Click OK to close the window.

Check the bi-di connection

Bi-directional (bi-di) communication between the driver and the printer is possible through a network connection by means of TCP/IP. If you do not see the custom paper types in the list, the bi-di communication process might have failed. Make sure that bi-di communication is working properly between the driver and the printer.

Printer Automatic Configuration can fail due to issues in the communication path, the client or network configuration, or driver settings. Successful bi-directional communication requires that the UPD-installed bi-directional services are loaded, the port settings are correct, and the printer is available over the network.

Follow these steps to check the bi-di connection:

Make sure the printer is connected to the network via TCP/IP.
In Windows, open the Devices and Printers folder.
Right-click the HP UPD, select Printer Properties, click the General tab, and then click Print Test page.
If you can print, try again to run Automatic Configuration (Update Now).

If you cannot print, click the Port tab and make sure the correct port is selected and that it is configured properly.

NOTE:
If you are not sure how to do this, or if you still cannot print, contact the system administrator.
Check the network connection method and make sure that the port is defined correctly (TCP/IP address or DNS name).

https://support.hp.com/

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