Postcard - Custom size will not print

[Kristin]

Due to the new postal regulations, we are creating a custom size postcard (6
x 4.25-portrait size). It will allow me to merge the document with the excel
file but when I click Print (step 5 of 5) I get the following error:
"Publisher cannot merge with this number of pages. Some publications require
a certain number of pages in order to merge information--for example, labels
must have only one page, tent cards two, and greeting cards four. To merge
information into this publication, you must delete pages."
The publicatio is currently only 2 pages (front and back of a postcard). I
cannot delete a page. Anyone know how to get it to print?
Thank you!

 

[Mary Sauer]

Separate the two pages into two different files. Do the merge, turn the cards
over, print the other side with file #2.

 

[Kristin]

Thanks Mary, is there no other way? We have been merging and printing
postcards (this is for a company) using Publisher for about 2 years with no
problems. Now that postage regulations have changed, the 1/2 page postcards
are much more expensive (which is why we are reducing the size of our large
postcards). The postcard mail merges we do are for 500+ records each
(numerous different postcards monthly). Having 2 separate files will become
confusing. Do you know if Microsoft is working on a patch to fix this error?

 

[Mary Sauer]

This problem may occur if any of the following conditions are true:
.. You try to print a half-page postcard that contains mail merge elements.
.. You try to print a custom-sized multi-page publication that contains mail
merge elements.
.. You try to print in duplex mode.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, use one of the predefined publication sizes that are
available in Microsoft Publisher. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Start Microsoft Publisher.
2. On the File menu, click New.
3. In the New Publication pane, click the type of publication that you want.
4. Place all the text and image elements that you want printed on the
publication.
5. Complete your mail merge, inserting the information into the publication.
6. On the File menu, click Print.
7. In the Print dialog box, click the printer.
8. Click OK to send your publication to the printer.

 

[Kristin]

Thank you for the feedback. As we MUST use a custom size, the "predefined"
postcard sizes are not an option. Also, I have spoken with our Marketing
Director and creating 2 files for the single publication is also not an
option. I am guessing that our only option is to create the custom size
postcard without the merge and use labels for all the mailings.

Thanks for your help!