How to Print an Envelope in LibreOffice

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to print an address on a standard envelope using LibreOffice Writer, which is included with the free LibreOffice suite. You will learn how to set up the envelope size, position the return and recipient addresses, and feed the envelope into your printer correctly. No special software or templates are needed—just LibreOffice and a printer that accepts envelopes.

What You’ll Need

LibreOffice installed (Writer comes with it)
A printer that can handle envelopes (most inkjet and laser printers can)
An envelope of a standard size, such as a #10 (4.125 x 9.5 inches) or DL (110 x 220 mm)
Your return address and the recipient’s address typed out or ready to paste

Step-by-Step

Open LibreOffice Writer. Launch the application from your start menu or applications folder. A blank document will appear.
Start the Envelope tool. From the top menu, click Insert → Envelope. This opens the Envelope dialog box with three tabs: Envelope, Format, and Printer.
Enter the addresses. In the Envelope tab, type the recipient’s address in the “Addressee” box. In the “Sender” box, type your return address. If you want the sender address to appear on the envelope, leave it filled in; if not, clear it.
Adjust the layout. Still in the Envelope tab, you can set the horizontal and vertical offset for both the sender and addressee text. The default values usually work well, but you can adjust them in small increments (e.g., 0.1 inches) if the text sits too close to the edge.
Set the envelope size. Click the Format tab. In the “Size” dropdown, choose your envelope type. Common options include DL (110 x 220 mm), C6 (114 x 162 mm), and #10 (104.8 x 241.3 mm). If your size is not listed, choose “User” and enter the width and height manually in the fields below.
Choose the orientation. In the same Format tab, select “Landscape” for most envelopes (the long side horizontal). For square or unusual envelopes, “Portrait” may be correct. The preview on the right shows how the envelope will look.
Set the print options. Click the Printer tab. Here you can choose whether to print just the envelope or also add it to the current document. For a one-off envelope, select “Envelope only.” Check the “Setup” button to open your printer’s properties and confirm the paper size matches your envelope.
Load the envelope. Before clicking OK, physically load the envelope into your printer. Most printers take envelopes in the main paper tray, flap side down and facing up, with the top edge (where the stamp goes) pointing in first. Check your printer’s manual or the diagram on the tray for the exact orientation.
Print. Click OK in the Envelope dialog. LibreOffice will create a new page sized for the envelope and open the print dialog. Confirm the printer and settings, then click Print.
Save for reuse. If you print the same return address often, after step 9 you can save the document as a template (File → Save As Template) so you only need to type the recipient’s address next time.

Common Mistakes

Wrong envelope orientation in the tray. This is the most frequent problem. If the envelope jams or the print comes out sideways, flip it over or rotate it 180 degrees and try again.
Envelope size mismatch. If the size in LibreOffice does not match the physical envelope, the text will be misplaced or the printer may reject it. Always measure the envelope or use the exact standard size.
Text too close to the edge. Many printers cannot print within about 5 mm of the paper edge. If the address is cut off, increase the offset values in the Envelope tab.
Forgetting to change the paper size in the printer driver. Even if LibreOffice is set to DL, the printer driver might still be set to A4 or Letter, causing a mismatch. Use the “Setup” button in the Printer tab to check.
Printing the envelope as part of a document. If you choose “Add to document” and then print the whole document, the envelope page may print on regular paper. Use “Envelope only” for a single envelope.

Tips

Test on plain paper first. Cut a piece of paper to the same size as your envelope and run a test print. This saves envelopes and lets you check the alignment without wasting supplies.
Use the manual feed slot. If your printer has a single-sheet or manual feed slot, use it for envelopes. It gives you more control and reduces the chance of a paper jam.
Flatten the envelope. If the envelope is curled or has air inside, press it flat or run it under a heavy book before loading. A flat envelope feeds much more reliably.
Adjust offsets in small steps. Change the horizontal or vertical offset by 0.1 inches (or 2-3 mm) at a time. Large jumps can overshoot the correct position.
Save a template with your return address. This turns a five-minute task into a one-minute task for future mailings.

Troubleshooting

The envelope jams in the printer. Remove the envelope carefully, check that it is not curled or creased, and reload it with the correct orientation. If it jams again, try the manual feed slot or a different envelope from the same pack.

The print is smudged. This usually happens with inkjet printers when the envelope is too thick or the ink has not dried. Use the printer’s “plain paper” or “envelope” setting, and let the envelope dry flat for a minute before stacking anything on it.

The addresses are in the wrong place. Reopen the Envelope dialog (Insert → Envelope) and adjust the offsets. Remember that the addressee and sender have separate offsets. Print another test on plain paper before using a real envelope.

The envelope prints on regular paper instead. This means the envelope page was added to a document and the printer used the default paper size. Go back to the Envelope dialog, choose “Envelope only,” and ensure the printer driver’s paper size is set to the envelope size.

LibreOffice does not list my envelope size. Choose “User” in the Format tab and enter the exact width and height in millimeters or inches. Double-check the measurement—a 1 mm error can shift the text noticeably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print the return address on the back flap? Yes. In the Envelope dialog, the sender address is placed in the top-left corner by default. To move it to the back flap, you would need to rotate the envelope in the tray and adjust the offsets—this is tricky. A simpler approach is to print the return address on the front top-left and leave the back flap blank.

Does LibreOffice have pre-made envelope templates? The Envelope dialog itself is the template. There is no separate template gallery for envelopes, but the dialog handles sizing and positioning automatically, which is faster than using a template.

Can I print a window envelope? Yes. For a window envelope, leave the addressee area blank in the dialog and instead type the address in the document body so it shows through the window. Set the envelope size to match the physical envelope, and position the text to align with the window by adjusting the offsets.

Why does my printer say “paper size mismatch”? This happens when the printer driver expects a different paper size than what LibreOffice sent. Open the Printer tab in the Envelope dialog, click Setup, and manually select the envelope size (e.g., DL or #10) in the printer properties.

Can I save the envelope as a PDF instead of printing? Yes. After clicking OK in the Envelope dialog, choose File → Export as PDF instead of printing. The PDF will be a single page sized exactly like the envelope, which you can print later or send to someone else.

Is there a way to print multiple envelopes at once? LibreOffice does not have a built-in mail merge for envelopes, but you can use the Mail Merge Wizard with a spreadsheet of addresses. Create a new document, choose Tools → Mail Merge Wizard, and select “Envelope” as the document type—the wizard will generate one envelope per address.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.