How to Tell Which Direction the Paper Goes into the Printer
I was inspired by the post above to go through my building and create a little guide to the different paper feed icons for my staff.
This is a back to basics post.
Most printers, copiers and fax machines have icons to show which way the paper should go. This is helpful especially if you are using letterhead or envelopes when you need to put the paper in with a particular side to be printed on or have the print facing a certain direction.
For the most part remember:
- Lines on the icon show where the printing will happen. Make sure if using letterhead, form, or preprinted stationery that you face the paper the correct way.
- The fold on the paper icon indicates the top of the page. Again this may be important with letterhead, forms or preprinted stationery.
- Envelope symbols indicate printing side or closure flap up side. This is important not only for printing but may prevent jams. Best bet if the printer doesn’t have envelope icons to check the manual.
- Envelopes may also be preprinted to pay attention the stamp on the icon or the side of the closure flap.
- These rules also apply for when you are doing double-sided printing manually.
The numbers on the pictures don’t mean anything. It’s just the way Flickr uploaded them.
Paper Direction Icons-1

Envelopes allowed face up with stamp area away from you. Paper face up with top of the page away from you.
Paper Direction Icons-2

Envelopes allowed face up with stamp area away from you. Paper face up with top of page away from you.
Paper Direction Icons

Face down - the top of the page is toward you
Paper Direction Icons-4

Envelopes allowed face up with the stamp area away from you. Use the paper guides to ensure proper feeding. Paper face up with the top of the page away from you.
Paper Direction Icons-6

This one is a little different. 1st icon = adjust paper guides for proper feeding of the paper. 2nd icon shows the paper should be face down and the top of the page should be toward you. Don’t use envelopes in this tray.
Paper Direction Icons-3

Paper face down with the top of the page toward you.
Paper Direction Icons-7

Envelope icon showing envelopes are allowed face up with the stamp area away from you.
Paper Direction Icons-10

Envelopes should go face down. The envelope flap suggest the the stamp area be toward you. Paper goes face down with the top of the page toward you.
Paper Direction Icons-8

Paper goes face up with the top of the page away from you.
Paper Direction Icons-5

This shows loading the paper and adjusting the guides. The final picture indicates the paper should be below those holders. Don’t over stuff the printer. The paper direction is face down with the top of the page toward you.
Paper Direction Icons-9

Paper goes face up with the top of the page away from you. Steps 1 and 2 show that you should adjust the guides for size of the paper and to ensure proper feeding. Step 3 shows that the paper should sit down in the tray suggesting that you shouldn’t over stuff the paper tray.
Paper Direction Icons-14

Paper goes face up with the top of the page away from you.
Paper Direction Icons-13

Paper goes face up with the top of the page away from you.
Paper Direction Icons-12

Uhhh??! Paper goes face up with the top of the page away from you.
Paper Direction Icons-15

Paper goes face up with the top of the page away from you.
Paper Direction Icons-16

Paper goes face down with the top of the page toward you.
a quickr pickr post
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