Hi - have you checked the settings for both the document(s) you are trying to print and the defaults for the printer? It could be that there is a default setting that is trying to override what you want to do. I can't think of a reason for it to act differently with different quality of print, unless the ink is running low - that can affect a document printing or not, but again, I would not think to this effect.
Some things to check on -
- Go to the control panel, open the Printers and Faxes folder, and right click on your printer.
Choose PROPERTIES. Make sure everything is set like you want it to be.
(If you are on a network of some kind, someone else's settings could be overriding yours. If you are not on a network, make sure "Do not share this printer" is checked on the sharing tab.)
-try to update the driver. Here is a good place to look -
http://preview.tinyurl.com/6bwuk8
I am assuming you have already actually checked for little scraplettes of paper that might be stuck near a sensor or an ink cartridge. I'd even pop the ink cartridges out and put them back in. Sometimes dust can build up on them if a printer isn't used often, or has been sitting for a long time.
Also, make sure you don't have a setting on your own computer to print out a blank sheet before a printing job. If your printer is actually run through an I/T department at work, they could have it set up by default to kick out a separator sheet to help keep orders separated.
I hope one of these things might work for you! : )