diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 1c64e1f20c..6bcd2d3d28 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -1250,7 +1250,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "miniz_oxide 0.9.1",
  "roxmltree 0.21.2",
  "tempfile",
- "winprint",
+ "winprint 0.2.1 (git+https://github.com/storytold/winprint.rs?rev=3c978dfcf3d460577fabd87aeea7a84ffdcfb396)",
  "winsafe",
 ]
 
@@ -4665,6 +4665,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "pdfcraft-render",
  "skrifa 0.44.0",
  "thiserror 2.0.21",
+ "winprint 0.2.1 (git+https://github.com/storytold/winprint.rs?rev=5f80b9baf6b58937c401656634e42d33f00ddf49)",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -8335,6 +8336,27 @@ dependencies = [
  "xml",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "winprint"
+version = "0.2.1"
+source = "git+https://github.com/storytold/winprint.rs?rev=5f80b9baf6b58937c401656634e42d33f00ddf49#5f80b9baf6b58937c401656634e42d33f00ddf49"
+dependencies = [
+ "flate2",
+ "fmt-derive",
+ "reqwest",
+ "scopeguard",
+ "sigstore-trust-root",
+ "sigstore-types",
+ "sigstore-verify",
+ "strum",
+ "tar",
+ "thiserror 2.0.21",
+ "windows",
+ "windows-core",
+ "windows-implement",
+ "xml",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "winreg"
 version = "0.55.0"
diff --git a/crates/automation/src/dispatch.rs b/crates/automation/src/dispatch.rs
index 7695b4ccdd..3b40832b83 100644
--- a/crates/automation/src/dispatch.rs
+++ b/crates/automation/src/dispatch.rs
@@ -731,6 +731,7 @@ impl Automation {
             "doc_hidden_info" => self.doc_hidden_info(&a)?,
             "printers" => self.printers()?,
             "printer_options" => self.printer_options(&a)?,
+            "printer_papers" => self.printer_papers(&a)?,
             "link_list" => self.link_list(&a)?,
             "link_open" => self.link_open(&a)?,
             "link_add" => self.link_add(&a)?,
diff --git a/crates/automation/src/printing.rs b/crates/automation/src/printing.rs
index 1e1f6e5fe0..c2a330a095 100644
--- a/crates/automation/src/printing.rs
+++ b/crates/automation/src/printing.rs
@@ -46,45 +46,78 @@ fn bad(m: impl Into<String>) -> ToolError {
     ToolError::InvalidArgs(m.into())
 }
 
-/// `doc_print`'s `paper`, by its name or a short form ("Letter", "ARCH D"), as its `PAPERS`
-/// index and size (or a size such as "8.5x14in", whose index is past the list); US Letter when
-/// none is given.
-fn paper_named(name: Option<&str>) -> Result<(usize, (f64, f64))> {
-    // A size of its own: "8.5x14in", "210x297mm", "10x15cm", "612x792pt". It has no place in
-    // `PAPERS` (index `PAPERS.len()`), so no `media` option is sent for it.
-    if let Some(size) = name.and_then(paper_size) {
-        return Ok((PAPERS.len(), size));
-    }
-    let mut papers = PAPERS.iter().enumerate();
-    let found = match name {
-        None => papers.next(),
-        Some(p) => papers.find(|(_, (n, _))| {
-            n.eq_ignore_ascii_case(p)
-                || n.replace("US ", "").eq_ignore_ascii_case(p)
-                || n.split(" (").next().is_some_and(|name| name.eq_ignore_ascii_case(p))
-        }),
+/// Parse explicit custom dimensions like "300x500", "300 x 500", "300x500 pt", "300pt x 500pt", "Custom.300x500".
+fn parse_custom_dimensions(s: &str) -> Option<(f64, f64)> {
+    let s = s.trim().trim_start_matches("Custom.").trim_start_matches("custom.").trim();
+    let (w_str, h_str) = s.split_once(['x', 'X', '*'])?;
+    let parse_dim = |d: &str| {
+        let d = d.trim().trim_end_matches("points").trim_end_matches("pt").trim();
+        d.parse::<f64>().ok()
     };
-    found.map(|(index, (_, size))| (index, *size)).ok_or_else(|| {
-        bad(format!(
-            "unknown paper {:?}; choose one of {}, or a size such as 8.5x14in or 210x297mm (1 to 200 inches a side)",
-            name.unwrap_or_default(),
+    let w = parse_dim(w_str)?;
+    let h = parse_dim(h_str)?;
+    if w.is_finite() && h.is_finite() && w >= 72.0 && h >= 72.0 && w <= 14400.0 && h <= 14400.0 { Some((w, h)) } else { None }
+}
+
+/// `doc_print`'s `paper`, by its name, short form, driver-detected paper name, or custom dimensions.
+/// Returns `((width, height), media_name)`.
+fn resolve_paper(name: Option<&str>, printer: Option<&str>) -> Result<((f64, f64), Option<String>)> {
+    if let Some(p) = name {
+        // 1. Match standard PAPERS presets.
+        for (index, (n, size)) in PAPERS.iter().enumerate() {
+            if n.eq_ignore_ascii_case(p)
+                || n.replace("US ", "").eq_ignore_ascii_case(p)
+                || n.split(" (").next().is_some_and(|label| label.eq_ignore_ascii_case(p))
+            {
+                let media = print::cups_media(index).map(String::from);
+                return Ok((*size, media));
+            }
+        }
+        // 2. Match detected driver papers for the given printer.
+        if let Some(printer_name) = printer {
+            let driver_papers = spool::printer_papers(printer_name);
+            if let Some((name, size)) = driver_papers.iter().find(|(n, _)| n.eq_ignore_ascii_case(p)) {
+                return Ok((*size, Some(print::paper_media(Some(name), *size))));
+            }
+        }
+        // 3. Match custom dimensions ("<w>x<h>").
+        if let Some(size) = parse_custom_dimensions(p) {
+            return Ok((size, Some(print::paper_media(None, size))));
+        }
+        // 4. Explicit units request the same stock as point dimensions.
+        if let Some(size) = paper_size(p) {
+            return Ok((size, Some(print::paper_media(None, size))));
+        }
+        return Err(bad(format!(
+            "unknown paper {p:?}; choose one of {}, a paper from printer_papers, or a size such as 8.5x14in or 210x297mm (1 to 200 inches a side)",
             PAPERS.iter().map(|(name, _)| *name).collect::<Vec<_>>().join(", ")
-        ))
-    })
+        )));
+    }
+
+    // When paper is omitted and a printer is given, use the printer's configured default paper if readable.
+    if let Some(printer_name) = printer
+        && let Some((name, size)) = spool::printer_default_paper(printer_name)
+    {
+        return Ok((size, Some(print::paper_media(Some(&name), size))));
+    }
+
+    let (name, size) = PAPERS[0];
+    let media = print::paper_media(Some(name), size);
+    Ok((size, Some(media)))
 }
 
 /// The spooler job for `doc_print` to `printer`. It feeds the paper the PDF was laid out on
-/// (`PAPERS[paper]`, as `media` after the driver's `options`) rather than the queue's default
-/// paper, which a job naming none got (A4 under Letter sheets on the queue in #3752), and tells
-/// CUPS which way the laid-out `sheets` run, as the Print dialog does (#2713): an orientation the
-/// caller chose in `options` stands. It asks the driver for grayscale only when the pages aren't
-/// grey pictures already ([`print::driver_needs_grayscale`]).
+/// (as `media` after the driver's `options`) rather than the queue's default paper, which a job
+/// naming none got (A4 under Letter sheets on the queue in #3752), and tells CUPS which way the
+/// laid-out `sheets` run, as the Print dialog does (#2713): an orientation the caller chose in
+/// `options` stands. It asks the driver for grayscale only when the pages aren't grey pictures
+/// already ([`print::driver_needs_grayscale`]).
 fn spool_job(
     a: &Args,
     printer: &str,
     title: String,
     duplex: Option<spool::Duplex>,
-    paper: usize,
+    media: Option<&str>,
     raster: Option<print::Raster>,
     sheets: &[print::Sheet],
 ) -> Result<spool::Job> {
@@ -110,7 +143,7 @@ fn spool_job(
         grey_pages: false,
         title,
         options: {
-            let mut options: Vec<(String, String)> = options.into_iter().chain(print::media_option(paper)).collect();
+            let mut options: Vec<(String, String)> = options.into_iter().chain(media.map(|m| ("media".to_string(), m.to_string()))).collect();
             print::add_cups_orientation(&mut options, sheets);
             options
         },
@@ -185,6 +218,21 @@ impl Automation {
         Ok(json!({ "printer": printer, "count": list.len(), "options": list }))
     }
 
+    /// `printer_papers`: the paper sizes (names and dimensions in points) and default paper
+    /// reported by the printer driver.
+    pub(crate) fn printer_papers(&self, a: &Args) -> Result<Value> {
+        let printer = a.str("printer")?;
+        let resolved = if printer == "default" {
+            spool::printers().into_iter().find(|p| p.default).map(|p| p.name).unwrap_or_else(|| printer.to_string())
+        } else {
+            printer.to_string()
+        };
+        let (papers, default_paper) = spool::printer_paper_info(&resolved);
+        let list: Vec<Value> = papers.into_iter().map(|(name, (width, height))| json!({ "name": name, "width": width, "height": height })).collect();
+        let default_val = default_paper.map(|(name, (width, height))| json!({ "name": name, "width": width, "height": height }));
+        Ok(json!({ "printer": printer, "count": list.len(), "papers": list, "default": default_val }))
+    }
+
     /// `doc_print`: lay the document out with the Print dialog's options, then save the
     /// print-ready PDF to `path` or send it to `printer` with the chosen paper.
     pub(crate) fn doc_print(&mut self, a: &Args) -> Result<Value> {
@@ -276,7 +324,18 @@ impl Automation {
         };
         let content = a.opt_str("comments_forms")?.unwrap_or("document-and-markups");
         let content = print::names::parse_content(content).ok_or_else(|| bad(format!("unknown comments_forms {content:?}")))?;
-        let (paper_index, paper) = paper_named(a.opt_str("paper")?)?;
+        // Use the same queue for duplex detection, paper discovery and submission, even if the
+        // system default changes while the document is rendered.
+        let resolved_printer = printer.map(|p| {
+            if let Some(asked) = &asked {
+                asked.name.clone()
+            } else if p == "default" {
+                spool::printer_queues().into_iter().find(|pr| pr.default).map(|pr| pr.name).unwrap_or_else(|| p.to_string())
+            } else {
+                p.to_string()
+            }
+        });
+        let (paper, media) = resolve_paper(a.opt_str("paper")?, resolved_printer.as_deref())?;
         // Print as image (Acrobat's Advanced Print Setup): pictures at `dpi`, grey when
         // `grayscale` is also asked for.
         let raster = if a.opt_bool("as_image")?.unwrap_or(false) {
@@ -311,8 +370,8 @@ impl Automation {
                 out["path"] = json!(path.to_string_lossy());
             }
             (None, Some(printer)) => {
-                let printer = asked.as_ref().map_or(printer, |p| p.name.as_str());
-                let mut job = spool_job(a, printer, self.doc(a)?.name.clone(), duplex, paper_index, settings.raster, &laid_out)?;
+                let actual_printer = resolved_printer.as_deref().unwrap_or(printer);
+                let mut job = spool_job(a, actual_printer, self.doc(a)?.name.clone(), duplex, media.as_deref(), settings.raster, &laid_out)?;
                 let bytes = pdfcraft_engine::spooler::spooler_copy(bytes, &mut job);
                 out["job"] = json!(spool::submit(&bytes, &job).map_err(|e| failed(e.to_string()))?);
             }
@@ -397,7 +456,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn printing_landscape_sheets_to_a_printer_asks_cups_to_turn_them() {
         let sheets = |sizes: &[(f64, f64)]| sizes.iter().map(|&size| print::Sheet { size, ..Default::default() }).collect::<Vec<_>>();
-        let job = |args: Value, s: &[print::Sheet]| spool_job(&Args(&args), "Office", "a.pdf".into(), None, 0, None, s).unwrap().options;
+        let job = |args: Value, s: &[print::Sheet]| spool_job(&Args(&args), "Office", "a.pdf".into(), None, Some("Letter"), None, s).unwrap().options;
         let media = ("media".to_string(), "Letter".to_string());
         let landscape = sheets(&[(792.0, 612.0), (792.0, 612.0)]);
         let turned = if cfg!(windows) { vec![media.clone()] } else { vec![media.clone(), ("orientation-requested".to_string(), "4".to_string())] };
@@ -413,8 +472,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn printing_to_a_printer_feeds_the_laid_out_paper() {
         let job = |args: Value, paper_name: Option<&str>| {
-            let (index, _) = paper_named(paper_name).unwrap();
-            spool_job(&Args(&args), "Office", "a.pdf".into(), None, index, None, &[]).unwrap()
+            let (_, media) = resolve_paper(paper_name, None).unwrap();
+            spool_job(&Args(&args), "Office", "a.pdf".into(), None, media.as_deref(), None, &[]).unwrap()
         };
         let media = |m: &str| ("media".to_string(), m.to_string());
         // US Letter when no paper is asked for, after the driver's own options.
@@ -423,18 +482,36 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!((letter.printer.as_deref(), letter.title.as_str()), (Some("Office"), "a.pdf"));
         // Every paper, by its full name, goes out as its own media name.
         for (i, (name, size)) in PAPERS.iter().enumerate() {
-            assert_eq!(paper_named(Some(name)).ok(), Some((i, *size)), "{name}");
+            assert_eq!(resolve_paper(Some(name), None).ok(), Some((*size, Some(print::cups_media(i).unwrap().to_string()))), "{name}");
             assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some(name)).options, print::media_option(i).into_iter().collect::<Vec<_>>(), "{name}");
         }
         // Short forms find the same paper.
         assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some("letter")).options, [media("Letter")]);
         assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some("ARCH D")).options, [media("na_arch-d_24x36in")]);
-        assert!(matches!(paper_named(Some("Quarto")), Err(ToolError::InvalidArgs(m)) if m.contains("US Letter")));
-        // A size of its own is laid out as asked and names no media.
-        assert_eq!(paper_named(Some("8.5x14in")).ok(), Some((PAPERS.len(), (612.0, 1008.0))));
-        assert!(job(json!({}), Some("8.5x14in")).options.is_empty());
-        assert_eq!(spool_job(&Args(&json!({})), "default", String::new(), None, 0, None, &[]).ok().map(|j| j.printer), Some(None));
-        assert!(spool_job(&Args(&json!({ "options": { "InputSlot": 3 } })), "Office", String::new(), None, 0, None, &[]).is_err());
+        // Non-preset dimensions and driver papers carry their media selection.
+        assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some("300x500")).options, [media("Custom.300x500")]);
+        assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some("300 x 500 pt")).options, [media("Custom.300x500")]);
+        assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some("300pt x 500pt")).options, [media("Custom.300x500")]);
+        assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some("300 pt x 500 pt")).options, [media("Custom.300x500")]);
+        assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some("Custom.300x500")).options, [media("Custom.300x500")]);
+        assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some("Custom.300x500pt")).options, [media("Custom.300x500")]);
+
+        assert!(matches!(resolve_paper(Some("Quarto"), None), Err(ToolError::InvalidArgs(m)) if m.contains("US Letter")));
+        // Every accepted dimension syntax requests the same stock from the queue.
+        for (input, size) in [
+            ("8.5x14in", (612.0, 1008.0)),
+            ("210x297mm", (210.0 * 72.0 / 25.4, 297.0 * 72.0 / 25.4)),
+            ("10x15cm", (10.0 * 72.0 / 2.54, 15.0 * 72.0 / 2.54)),
+            ("300x500pt", (300.0, 500.0)),
+        ] {
+            let expected = print::paper_media(None, size);
+            let (resolved_size, resolved_media) = resolve_paper(Some(input), None).unwrap();
+            assert!((resolved_size.0 - size.0).abs() < 0.01 && (resolved_size.1 - size.1).abs() < 0.01, "{input}");
+            assert_eq!(resolved_media.as_deref(), Some(expected.as_str()), "{input}");
+            assert_eq!(job(json!({}), Some(input)).options, [media(&expected)], "{input}");
+        }
+        assert_eq!(spool_job(&Args(&json!({})), "default", String::new(), None, Some("Letter"), None, &[]).ok().map(|j| j.printer), Some(None));
+        assert!(spool_job(&Args(&json!({ "options": { "InputSlot": 3 } })), "Office", String::new(), None, Some("Letter"), None, &[]).is_err());
     }
 
     /// #5806: grayscale with Print as image sends grey pictures, so the driver isn't asked for
@@ -443,8 +520,9 @@ mod tests {
     fn grey_pictures_dont_ask_the_driver_for_grayscale() {
         let grey = print::Raster { dpi: 300.0, grayscale: true };
         let colour = print::Raster { dpi: 300.0, grayscale: false };
-        let job =
-            |args: Value, raster: Option<print::Raster>| spool_job(&Args(&args), "Office", String::new(), None, 0, raster, &[]).unwrap().grayscale;
+        let job = |args: Value, raster: Option<print::Raster>| {
+            spool_job(&Args(&args), "Office", String::new(), None, Some("Letter"), raster, &[]).unwrap().grayscale
+        };
         assert!(job(json!({ "grayscale": true }), None), "vector pages: the driver makes them grey");
         assert!(!job(json!({ "grayscale": true }), Some(grey)), "grey pictures: nothing for the driver to do");
         assert!(job(json!({ "grayscale": true }), Some(colour)), "colour pictures still need the driver");
diff --git a/crates/automation/src/tools.rs b/crates/automation/src/tools.rs
index 1cd876d0b1..56c654fa1c 100644
--- a/crates/automation/src/tools.rs
+++ b/crates/automation/src/tools.rs
@@ -754,10 +754,17 @@ pub fn tools() -> Vec<ToolDef> {
         t("printer_options", "List printer options", "A printer driver's own job options (CUPS: from its PPD), such as the paper tray, paper type or finishing: key, label, group, default and choices. Pass chosen values to doc_print as options. Empty on Windows, where the driver's preferences window holds them.")
             .ro()
             .with(schema(json!({ "printer": { "type": "string" } }), &["printer"])),
+        t(
+            "printer_papers",
+            "List printer paper sizes",
+            "The media sizes (names and dimensions in points) and default paper supported by a printer driver. Pass printer: a name from printers, or \"default\".",
+        )
+        .ro()
+        .with(schema(json!({ "printer": { "type": "string" } }), &["printer"])),
         t(
             "doc_print",
             "Print",
-            "Print with Acrobat's Print dialog options, or save the print-ready PDF. pages: a range such as \"1-3, 6, 9-\" (page labels allowed, \"(n)\" for the nth page whatever its label, unless a page is labelled exactly \"(n)\", since labels are looked up first; default all); subset odd/even (by page number, as Acrobat counts them: pages 2, 7-10 with even prints 2, 8 and 10, not every second page of the range); reverse. layout: fit (default), actual, shrink, custom (scale %), multiple (per_sheet 2/4/6/9/16, which turns the sheet to suit the grid, or a custom grid of cols across by rows down, each 1-99, on the sheet as oriented (auto prints portrait); order, border, auto_rotate; cut-stack order arranges single-sided sheets for cutting into piles and stacking left to right, top to bottom, keeping sheet order within each pile; duplex must be off), booklet (booklet_subset both/front/back, binding left/right; a booklet sets two-sided itself, as Acrobat does: both flips on the short edge, front or back prints one-sided), poster (scale %, overlap pt, cut_marks). orientation auto/portrait/landscape; comments_forms document / document-and-markups (default) / document-and-stamps / form-fields-only; paper Letter/Legal/Tabloid, ARCH A/B/C/D/E1/E, ANSI C/D/E, A0/A1/A2/A3/A4/A5/A6, or US #10 Envelope (short names or full preset labels); use layout actual for 100% in the print-ready PDF; printer drivers may still substitute paper or scale. Then path (save) or printer (a name or \"default\") with copies, collate, duplex off/long-edge/short-edge, grayscale, and options (driver options from printer_options, CUPS).",
+            "Print with Acrobat's Print dialog options, or save the print-ready PDF. pages: a range such as \"1-3, 6, 9-\" (page labels allowed, \"(n)\" for the nth page whatever its label, unless a page is labelled exactly \"(n)\", since labels are looked up first; default all); subset odd/even (by page number, as Acrobat counts them: pages 2, 7-10 with even prints 2, 8 and 10, not every second page of the range); reverse. layout: fit (default), actual, shrink, custom (scale %), multiple (per_sheet 2/4/6/9/16, which turns the sheet to suit the grid, or a custom grid of cols across by rows down, each 1-99, on the sheet as oriented (auto prints portrait); order, border, auto_rotate; cut-stack order arranges single-sided sheets for cutting into piles and stacking left to right, top to bottom, keeping sheet order within each pile; duplex must be off), booklet (booklet_subset both/front/back, binding left/right; a booklet sets two-sided itself, as Acrobat does: both flips on the short edge, front or back prints one-sided), poster (scale %, overlap pt, cut_marks). orientation auto/portrait/landscape; comments_forms document / document-and-markups (default) / document-and-stamps / form-fields-only; paper Letter/Legal/Tabloid, ARCH A/B/C/D/E1/E, ANSI C/D/E, A0/A1/A2/A3/A4/A5/A6, US #10 Envelope, a driver paper name from printer_papers, or dimensions \"<w>x<h>\"; when printer is given and paper is omitted, uses the printer's default paper if available; use layout actual for 100% in the print-ready PDF; printer drivers may still substitute paper or scale. Then path (save) or printer (a name or \"default\") with copies, collate, duplex off/long-edge/short-edge, grayscale, and options (driver options from printer_options, CUPS).",
         )
         .with(schema(
             json!({
diff --git a/crates/automation/tests/it/automation.rs b/crates/automation/tests/it/automation.rs
index f6c58cc348..632f692e9f 100644
--- a/crates/automation/tests/it/automation.rs
+++ b/crates/automation/tests/it/automation.rs
@@ -6292,6 +6292,25 @@ fn printing_through_tools() {
     assert!(matches!(a.call("doc_print", &json!({ "doc": doc, "pages": "99", "path": "x.pdf" })), Err(ToolError::InvalidArgs(_))));
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn printer_papers_through_tools() {
+    let dir = workdir("printer-papers");
+    let mut a = auto(&dir);
+    let none = ok(&mut a, "printer_papers", json!({ "printer": "No_Such_Queue_PdfCraft" }));
+    assert_eq!((none["count"].as_u64(), none["papers"].as_array().map(Vec::len)), (Some(0), Some(0)));
+    assert!(none["default"].is_null());
+    assert!(matches!(a.call("printer_papers", &json!({})), Err(ToolError::InvalidArgs(_))));
+
+    let doc = ok(&mut a, "doc_open", json!({ "path": "a.pdf" }))["doc"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let r = ok(&mut a, "doc_print", json!({ "doc": doc, "pages": "1", "paper": "300x500", "path": "custom-paper.pdf" }));
+    assert_eq!(r["sheets"].as_u64(), Some(1));
+    let opened = ok(&mut a, "doc_open", json!({ "path": "custom-paper.pdf" }))["doc"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let info = ok(&mut a, "doc_info", json!({ "doc": opened }));
+    let page = &info["pages"][0];
+    assert!((page["width"].as_f64().unwrap() - 300.0).abs() <= 1.0);
+    assert!((page["height"].as_f64().unwrap() - 500.0).abs() <= 1.0);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn adding_content_through_tools() {
     let dir = workdir("content");
diff --git a/crates/print/Cargo.toml b/crates/print/Cargo.toml
index 7a0506ca8b..9d349b6568 100644
--- a/crates/print/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/print/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ pdfcraft-content = { workspace = true }
 pdfcraft-model = { workspace = true }
 thiserror = { workspace = true }
 
+[target.'cfg(windows)'.dependencies]
+winprint = { version = "0.2.1", git = "https://github.com/storytold/winprint.rs", rev = "5f80b9baf6b58937c401656634e42d33f00ddf49", default-features = false }
+
 [dev-dependencies]
 pdfcraft-render = { workspace = true }
 # Reads the renamed programs back with a parser that isn't ours.
diff --git a/crates/print/src/lib.rs b/crates/print/src/lib.rs
index 885a5953b3..5707a42012 100644
--- a/crates/print/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/print/src/lib.rs
@@ -39,13 +39,14 @@ use imposition::{PAGES_LISTED, appearance, appearance_matrix, decoded_contents,
 pub use imposition::{impose, keep_printed, sheet_pages};
 pub use settings::{
     Binding, BookletSubset, Content, Crop, LABEL_PAPER, Layout, MAX_GRID, Orientation, PAPERS, PageOrder, Raster, Settings, SizeMode, booklet_duplex,
-    booklet_job_duplex, cups_media, driver_needs_grayscale, media_option,
+    booklet_job_duplex, cups_media, custom_media, driver_needs_grayscale, media_option, paper_media, paper_media_option,
 };
 #[cfg(test)]
 use sheets::text_direction;
 pub use sheets::{
     LABEL_MARGIN, MARGIN, MAX_CREEP, Placement, Sheet, add_cups_orientation, cups_orientation, layout, matching_paper, text_reads_up, texts_read_up,
 };
+pub use spool::{open_printer_preferences, printer_default_paper, printer_paper_info, printer_papers, show_printer_properties};
 
 /// The names of the Print dialog's choices, shared by the `doc_print` tool and the settings
 /// file, so a saved preference reads like a tool argument and there is one vocabulary to keep.
diff --git a/crates/print/src/settings.rs b/crates/print/src/settings.rs
index 619f775926..50657b328a 100644
--- a/crates/print/src/settings.rs
+++ b/crates/print/src/settings.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use super::spool;
+use crate::matching_paper;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
 pub enum Orientation {
@@ -301,3 +302,51 @@ pub fn cups_media(index: usize) -> Option<&'static str> {
 pub fn media_option(index: usize) -> Option<(String, String)> {
     cups_media(index).map(|m| ("media".to_string(), m.to_string()))
 }
+
+/// Format custom dimensions in points as a CUPS custom media string (e.g. `Custom.300x500`).
+pub fn custom_media(size: (f64, f64)) -> String {
+    let format_dim = |d: f64| {
+        if (d.round() - d).abs() < 1e-4 {
+            format!("{:.0}", d.round())
+        } else {
+            let s = format!("{d:.2}");
+            s.trim_end_matches('0').trim_end_matches('.').to_string()
+        }
+    };
+    format!("Custom.{}x{}", format_dim(size.0), format_dim(size.1))
+}
+
+/// The CUPS media name for a paper by its name and dimensions.
+///
+/// Matches standard [`PAPERS`] presets by size first, then a clean driver-reported keyword,
+/// falling back to custom media dimensions (`Custom.<width>x<height>`).
+pub fn paper_media(name: Option<&str>, size: (f64, f64)) -> String {
+    if let Some(index) = matching_paper(size)
+        && let Some(media) = cups_media(index)
+    {
+        return media.to_string();
+    }
+    if let Some(n) = name {
+        let is_dim = n.split_once(['x', 'X', '*']).is_some_and(|(w, h)| {
+            let parse_dim = |d: &str| {
+                let d = d.trim().trim_start_matches("Custom.").trim_start_matches("custom.").trim_end_matches("points").trim_end_matches("pt").trim();
+                d.parse::<f64>().is_ok()
+            };
+            parse_dim(w) && parse_dim(h)
+        });
+        let is_clean = !n.is_empty()
+            && n.len() <= 64
+            && !n.contains(' ')
+            && !is_dim
+            && n.chars().all(|c| c.is_ascii_graphic() && !matches!(c, '/' | ':' | '=' | '"' | '\'' | '\\' | '{'));
+        if is_clean {
+            return n.to_string();
+        }
+    }
+    custom_media(size)
+}
+
+/// The media job option (`("media", <name>)`) for a paper by its optional name and dimensions.
+pub fn paper_media_option(name: Option<&str>, size: (f64, f64)) -> (String, String) {
+    ("media".to_string(), paper_media(name, size))
+}
diff --git a/crates/print/src/spool.rs b/crates/print/src/spool.rs
index ddeba8354a..f80b349916 100644
--- a/crates/print/src/spool.rs
+++ b/crates/print/src/spool.rs
@@ -53,6 +53,19 @@ fn unavailable(dll: &str) -> crate::PrintError {
     crate::PrintError::Spool(format!("printing needs {dll}, which this Windows installation lacks; use Save as PDF instead"))
 }
 
+/// Keeps two threads of this process out of the Windows PrintTicket provider (`PTOpenProvider`
+/// and the calls on its handle) at the same time. When two threads make the process's first calls
+/// together, winspool can keep a pointer to a device capabilities cache it has freed, and a later
+/// call crashes the process. All entry points in this process that query driver capabilities
+/// or submit jobs share this process-wide lock.
+#[cfg(windows)]
+static PRINT_TICKET_PROVIDER: std::sync::Mutex<()> = std::sync::Mutex::new(());
+
+#[cfg(windows)]
+pub(crate) fn print_ticket_provider() -> std::sync::MutexGuard<'static, ()> {
+    PRINT_TICKET_PROVIDER.lock().unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner)
+}
+
 /// The system's printers; none on a Windows installation without the print DLLs.
 pub fn printers() -> Vec<Printer> {
     if missing_print_dll().is_some() {
@@ -60,6 +73,8 @@ pub fn printers() -> Vec<Printer> {
     }
     #[cfg(all(windows, test))]
     PRINTER_BACKEND_CALLS.with(|c| c.set(c.get().saturating_add(1)));
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    let _provider = print_ticket_provider();
     craft_print::printers()
 }
 
@@ -83,6 +98,8 @@ pub fn two_sided(printer: &str) -> Option<bool> {
     }
     #[cfg(all(windows, test))]
     PRINTER_BACKEND_CALLS.with(|c| c.set(c.get().saturating_add(1)));
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    let _provider = print_ticket_provider();
     craft_print::two_sided(printer)
 }
 
@@ -386,11 +403,14 @@ fn spooled(job: &Job) -> Job {
     }
 }
 
+/// Submit a PDF to the system print spooler for the configured `job`.
 pub fn submit(pdf: &[u8], job: &Job) -> Result<String, crate::PrintError> {
     if let Some(dll) = missing_print_dll() {
         return Err(unavailable(dll));
     }
     #[cfg(windows)]
+    let _provider = print_ticket_provider();
+    #[cfg(windows)]
     let resolved = windows_duplex::job(job);
     #[cfg(windows)]
     let job = resolved.as_ref();
@@ -405,6 +425,8 @@ pub fn submit_with_progress(pdf: &[u8], job: &Job, progress: &mut dyn FnMut(usiz
         return Err(unavailable(dll));
     }
     #[cfg(windows)]
+    let _provider = print_ticket_provider();
+    #[cfg(windows)]
     let resolved = windows_duplex::job(job);
     #[cfg(windows)]
     let job = resolved.as_ref();
@@ -426,10 +448,134 @@ pub(crate) fn spooled_pdf(pdf: &[u8], rename: bool) -> std::borrow::Cow<'_, [u8]
     }
 }
 
+/// Opens the printer driver's native Printing Preferences window (Windows `printui.dll`).
 pub fn open_printer_preferences(printer: &str) -> Result<(), crate::PrintError> {
     craft_print::open_printer_preferences(printer).map_err(|e| crate::PrintError::Spool(e.to_string()))
 }
 
+/// A named paper with dimensions in points `(width, height)`.
+pub type Paper = (String, (f64, f64));
+
+/// The paper sizes supported by `printer` as reported by the system / printer driver.
+/// Empty when the printer reports none or on platforms where driver capabilities are not queried.
+#[cfg(windows)]
+pub fn printer_papers(printer: &str) -> Vec<Paper> {
+    // A call into a missing delay-loaded PrintTicket DLL would terminate the process (#2630).
+    if missing_print_dll().is_some() {
+        return Vec::new();
+    }
+    let _provider = print_ticket_provider();
+    printer_papers_internal(printer)
+}
+
+#[cfg(windows)]
+fn printer_papers_internal(printer: &str) -> Vec<Paper> {
+    #[cfg(test)]
+    PRINTER_BACKEND_CALLS.with(|c| c.set(c.get().saturating_add(1)));
+    use winprint::ticket::{FeatureOptionPack as _, FeatureOptionPackWithPredefined as _};
+    let Ok(devices) = winprint::printer::PrinterDevice::all() else { return Vec::new() };
+    let Some(device) = devices.into_iter().find(|d| d.name() == printer) else { return Vec::new() };
+    let Ok(capabilities) = winprint::ticket::PrintCapabilities::fetch(&device) else { return Vec::new() };
+    let mut papers = Vec::new();
+    for media in capabilities.page_media_sizes() {
+        let size = media.size();
+        let w_pts = (size.width_in_micron() as f64) * 72.0 / 25_400.0;
+        let h_pts = (size.height_in_micron() as f64) * 72.0 / 25_400.0;
+        if w_pts.is_finite() && h_pts.is_finite() && w_pts >= 72.0 && h_pts >= 72.0 && w_pts <= 14400.0 && h_pts <= 14400.0 {
+            let name = media.display_name().map(str::to_string).unwrap_or_else(|| {
+                if let Some(predefined) = media.as_predefined_name() { format!("{predefined:?}") } else { format!("{w_pts:.1} x {h_pts:.1} pt") }
+            });
+            let w_pts = (w_pts * 100.0).round() / 100.0;
+            let h_pts = (h_pts * 100.0).round() / 100.0;
+            if !papers.iter().any(|(n, (w, h)): &(String, (f64, f64))| n == &name && (*w - w_pts).abs() < 0.1 && (*h - h_pts).abs() < 0.1) {
+                papers.push((name, (w_pts, h_pts)));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    papers
+}
+
+/// The paper sizes supported by `printer` (fallback for non-Windows platforms).
+#[cfg(not(windows))]
+pub fn printer_papers(_printer: &str) -> Vec<Paper> {
+    Vec::new()
+}
+
+/// Match `paper_pts` against detected driver `papers` within a 1.0 pt tolerance.
+#[cfg(windows)]
+fn resolve_paper_name(papers: &[Paper], paper_pts: (f64, f64)) -> Paper {
+    let w_pts = (paper_pts.0 * 100.0).round() / 100.0;
+    let h_pts = (paper_pts.1 * 100.0).round() / 100.0;
+    let name = papers
+        .iter()
+        .find(|(_, (w, h))| ((*w - w_pts).abs() <= 1.0 && (*h - h_pts).abs() <= 1.0) || ((*w - h_pts).abs() <= 1.0 && (*h - w_pts).abs() <= 1.0))
+        .map(|(n, _)| n.clone())
+        .or_else(|| crate::matching_paper(paper_pts).and_then(|idx| crate::PAPERS.get(idx).map(|(n, _)| n.to_string())))
+        .unwrap_or_default();
+    (name, (w_pts, h_pts))
+}
+
+/// The default paper size configured for `printer` in the printer properties / DEVMODE.
+/// Returns `Some((name, (width, height)))` if readable.
+pub fn printer_default_paper(printer: &str) -> Option<Paper> {
+    printer_paper_info(printer).1
+}
+
+/// Reads the supported paper sizes and the default paper size configured for `printer`.
+pub fn printer_paper_info(printer: &str) -> (Vec<Paper>, Option<Paper>) {
+    if missing_print_dll().is_some() {
+        return (Vec::new(), None);
+    }
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    let _provider = print_ticket_provider();
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    let papers = printer_papers_internal(printer);
+    #[cfg(not(windows))]
+    let papers = printer_papers(printer);
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    let default_paper = {
+        let settings = craft_print::rgb::default_settings(printer).ok();
+        let page = settings.as_ref().and_then(|s| craft_print::rgb::page(printer, Some(s)).ok());
+        page.map(|p| resolve_paper_name(&papers, p.paper))
+    };
+    #[cfg(not(windows))]
+    let default_paper = {
+        let _ = &papers;
+        None
+    };
+    (papers, default_paper)
+}
+
+/// Shows the printer driver's Page Setup / DocumentProperties dialog (Windows).
+///
+/// Returns the paper size and orientation selected by the user. Other per-job driver
+/// settings (such as tray or quality) are not captured; general driver settings should
+/// be configured through [`open_printer_preferences`] (Properties…).
+pub fn show_printer_properties(printer: &str, parent: Option<isize>) -> Result<Option<Paper>, crate::PrintError> {
+    if let Some(dll) = missing_print_dll() {
+        return Err(unavailable(dll));
+    }
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    {
+        let devmode = match craft_print::rgb::settings_dialog(printer, None, parent) {
+            Ok(Some(dm)) => dm,
+            Ok(None) => return Ok(None),
+            Err(_) => {
+                open_printer_preferences(printer)?;
+                return Ok(None);
+            }
+        };
+        let page = craft_print::rgb::page(printer, Some(&devmode)).map_err(|e| crate::PrintError::Spool(e.to_string()))?;
+        let papers = printer_papers(printer);
+        Ok(Some(resolve_paper_name(&papers, page.paper)))
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(windows))]
+    {
+        let _ = (printer, parent);
+        Ok(None)
+    }
+}
+
 /// The PPD language codes (`*cupsLanguages`, the `ll` of `*ll.Translation`) to try for a UI
 /// language code, most specific first: `pt-br` → `pt_BR`, `pt`; `zh-hans` → `zh_CN`, `zh`.
 // Read only by the CUPS path; the tests exercise it everywhere.
diff --git a/crates/print/src/tests.rs b/crates/print/src/tests.rs
index 29d22d8eff..1d5ce2ca26 100644
--- a/crates/print/src/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/print/src/tests.rs
@@ -1159,6 +1159,28 @@ fn every_paper_reaches_the_spooler_by_a_name_of_its_size() {
     );
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn paper_media_and_custom_dimensions() {
+    assert_eq!(custom_media((300.0, 500.0)), "Custom.300x500");
+    assert_eq!(custom_media((300.5, 500.25)), "Custom.300.5x500.25");
+
+    // Standard presets match by size regardless of name:
+    assert_eq!(paper_media(None, (612.0, 792.0)), "Letter");
+    assert_eq!(paper_media(Some("Driver Letter"), (612.0, 792.0)), "Letter");
+    assert_eq!(paper_media(Some("Shipping Label"), (288.0, 432.0)), "w288h432");
+
+    // Clean driver keyword that does not match PAPERS presets:
+    assert_eq!(paper_media(Some("Roll80mm"), (226.77, 800.0)), "Roll80mm");
+    assert_eq!(paper_media(Some("Photo5x7"), (360.0, 504.0)), "Photo5x7");
+
+    // Driver paper with spaces or raw dimensions falls back to Custom:
+    assert_eq!(paper_media(Some("Custom 5x7"), (360.0, 504.0)), "Custom.360x504");
+    assert_eq!(paper_media(Some("300x500"), (300.0, 500.0)), "Custom.300x500");
+    assert_eq!(paper_media(None, (300.0, 500.0)), "Custom.300x500");
+
+    assert_eq!(paper_media_option(Some("300x500"), (300.0, 500.0)), ("media".to_string(), "Custom.300x500".to_string()));
+}
+
 /// #4777: Folio (8.5 × 13 in) and F4 (210 × 330 mm) presets are offered, fed by their
 /// PWG 5101.1 media names (`na_foolscap_8.5x13in` and `om_folio_210x330mm`) and laid out at their
 /// proper dimensions.
@@ -1681,6 +1703,97 @@ fn printing_without_the_print_dlls_is_refused_before_the_spooler() {
     let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
 }
 
+/// #2630 and #6100: paper discovery must respect the same delay-load guard as submission.
+/// The nonexistent queue makes a missing guard observable without requiring printer hardware.
+#[cfg(windows)]
+#[test]
+fn paper_detection_without_print_dlls_never_reaches_the_driver() {
+    use crate::spool::{PRINT_DLLS, PRINTER_BACKEND_CALLS, SYSTEM32_FOR_TEST};
+    let dir = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("pdfcraft-paper-no-dlls-{}", std::process::id()));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+    std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir).unwrap();
+    for missing in PRINT_DLLS {
+        SYSTEM32_FOR_TEST.with(|d| *d.borrow_mut() = Some(dir.clone()));
+        PRINTER_BACKEND_CALLS.with(|c| c.set(0));
+        let name = "PdfCraft test: no such printer";
+        let papers = crate::spool::printer_papers(name);
+        let info = crate::spool::printer_paper_info(name);
+        let default = crate::spool::printer_default_paper(name);
+        let calls = PRINTER_BACKEND_CALLS.with(|c| c.get());
+        // A broken guard must not open a real dialog while this regression fails.
+        let properties = (calls == 0).then(|| crate::spool::show_printer_properties(name, None));
+        SYSTEM32_FOR_TEST.with(|d| *d.borrow_mut() = None);
+        assert!(papers.is_empty());
+        assert_eq!(info, (Vec::new(), None));
+        assert_eq!(default, None);
+        assert_eq!(calls, 0, "paper queries must not reach the backend without {missing}");
+        assert!(matches!(properties, Some(Err(crate::PrintError::Spool(m))) if m.contains(missing)));
+        std::fs::write(dir.join(missing), b"").unwrap();
+    }
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn printer_papers_and_default_paper_api() {
+    // Nonexistent printer returns empty
+    assert!(crate::spool::printer_papers("Nonexistent Printer 12345").is_empty());
+    assert_eq!(crate::spool::printer_default_paper("Nonexistent Printer 12345"), None);
+
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    {
+        // On Windows with installed printers, test detection if any installed
+        for p in crate::spool::printers() {
+            let papers = crate::spool::printer_papers(&p.name);
+            if !papers.is_empty() {
+                // Every paper has a valid positive size and a non-empty name
+                for (name, (w, h)) in &papers {
+                    assert!(!name.is_empty());
+                    assert!(*w > 0.0 && *h > 0.0);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Overlapping driver discovery, queue queries, and paper detection run concurrently across
+/// worker threads without deadlocking or racing the PrintTicket provider.
+#[test]
+fn overlapping_paper_discovery_two_sided_and_queue_queries() {
+    let queues = crate::spool::printer_queues();
+    let name = queues.first().map(|p| p.name.clone()).unwrap_or_else(|| "Microsoft Print to PDF".to_string());
+
+    let threads: Vec<_> = (0..8)
+        .map(|i| {
+            let printer = name.clone();
+            std::thread::spawn(move || {
+                for _ in 0..5 {
+                    match i % 5 {
+                        0 => {
+                            let _ = crate::spool::printer_papers(&printer);
+                        }
+                        1 => {
+                            let _ = crate::spool::printer_default_paper(&printer);
+                        }
+                        2 => {
+                            let _ = crate::spool::two_sided(&printer);
+                        }
+                        3 => {
+                            let _ = crate::spool::printers();
+                        }
+                        _ => {
+                            let _ = crate::spool::printer_paper_info(&printer);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            })
+        })
+        .collect();
+
+    for handle in threads {
+        handle.join().unwrap();
+    }
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn a_page_form_without_annotations_shares_the_pages_indirect_resources() {
     let mut doc = fixture(2);
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
index 240ea16a8e..759682fade 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/app.rs
@@ -132,6 +132,8 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
             updates: updates::Updates::default(),
             printer_source: None,
             options_source: None,
+            default_paper_source: None,
+            printer_papers_source: None,
             spooler: None,
             two_sided_source: None,
             print_tasks: print_ui::PrintTasks::default(),
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/app/files.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/app/files.rs
index a5db36c6ad..8c96de4529 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/app/files.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/app/files.rs
@@ -107,6 +107,16 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
     /// later as a pending open, under the returned token.
     #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
     pub(crate) fn schedule_open(&mut self, request: OpenRequest) -> Result<u64, String> {
+        self.schedule_open_with_priority(request, false)
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+    pub(crate) fn schedule_open_priority(&mut self, request: OpenRequest) -> Result<u64, String> {
+        self.schedule_open_with_priority(request, true)
+    }
+
+    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+    fn schedule_open_with_priority(&mut self, request: OpenRequest, priority: bool) -> Result<u64, String> {
         if self.open_worker.is_none() {
             self.open_worker = Some(
                 open_worker::OpenWorker::new(
@@ -124,7 +134,11 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         // A new document opens with the remembered Highlight fields, which its scripts read; the
         // session keeps the document in front's.
         let context = self.session.open_context().with_highlight(self.view_defaults.highlight_fields);
-        let receiver = worker.submit(token, context, request.name.clone(), request.path.clone(), request.password, request.input)?;
+        let receiver = if priority {
+            worker.submit_priority(token, context, request.name.clone(), request.path.clone(), request.password, request.input)?
+        } else {
+            worker.submit(token, context, request.name.clone(), request.path.clone(), request.password, request.input)?
+        };
         self.next_open_token = token;
         self.pending_opens.push(PendingOpen {
             token,
@@ -660,7 +674,7 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         };
         #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
         if self.ctx.is_some() && !self.run_inline {
-            let result = self.schedule_open(OpenRequest {
+            let result = self.schedule_open_priority(OpenRequest {
                 name: p.name.clone(),
                 path: p.path.clone(),
                 stamp: p.stamp,
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/app/prefs.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/app/prefs.rs
index eea8ec5ad4..9546857d41 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/app/prefs.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/app/prefs.rs
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ fn rgb_triple(v: &serde_json::Value) -> Option<[f64; 3]> {
 }
 
 impl PdfCraftApp {
+    /// Sets the user's interface theme preference (Light, Dark, or System).
     pub fn set_theme_preference(&mut self, preference: ThemePreference) {
         self.theme_preference = preference;
         if let Some(ctx) = self.ctx.clone() {
@@ -191,6 +192,9 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         // a custom paper is stored by the name it was given.
         let d = &self.print_draft;
         v["print_paper"] = serde_json::json!((d.paper < d.paper_count()).then(|| d.paper_name()));
+        let size = self.print_draft.paper_size();
+        v["print_paper_size"] = serde_json::json!([size.0, size.1]);
+        v["print_paper_overridden"] = serde_json::json!(self.print_draft.paper_overridden);
         // Also set outside json! above, which is at serde_json's macro recursion limit.
         v["print"] = print;
         // Each printer's paper, sizing and two-sided choice, the one printed to last first (#2001).
@@ -312,8 +316,31 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
             self.print_draft.custom_papers = print_paper::read_custom(&v["print_custom_papers"]);
         }
         // After the custom papers, so a custom paper chosen last time is found by its name.
-        if let Some(paper) = v.get("print_paper").and_then(serde_json::Value::as_str).and_then(|name| self.print_draft.paper_index(name)) {
-            self.print_draft.paper = paper;
+        if let Some(name) = v.get("print_paper").and_then(serde_json::Value::as_str) {
+            let saved_size = v.get("print_paper_size").and_then(|s| {
+                let w = s.get(0)?.as_f64()?;
+                let h = s.get(1)?.as_f64()?;
+                if w >= 72.0 && h >= 72.0 && w.is_finite() && h.is_finite() { Some((w, h)) } else { None }
+            });
+            let matched_pos = self
+                .print_draft
+                .papers
+                .iter()
+                .position(|(n, s)| n == name && saved_size.is_none_or(|sz| (s.0 - sz.0).abs() <= 1.0 && (s.1 - sz.1).abs() <= 1.0))
+                .or_else(|| {
+                    pdfcraft_engine::print::PAPERS.iter().position(|(canonical, s)| {
+                        *canonical == name && saved_size.is_none_or(|sz| (s.0 - sz.0).abs() <= 1.0 && (s.1 - sz.1).abs() <= 1.0)
+                    })
+                })
+                .or_else(|| self.print_draft.paper_index(name));
+            if let Some(paper) = matched_pos {
+                self.print_draft.paper = paper;
+                self.print_draft.paper_overridden = v.get("print_paper_overridden").and_then(serde_json::Value::as_bool).unwrap_or(false);
+            } else if let Some(size) = saved_size {
+                self.print_draft.papers.push((name.to_string(), size));
+                self.print_draft.paper = self.print_draft.papers.len() - 1;
+                self.print_draft.paper_overridden = v.get("print_paper_overridden").and_then(serde_json::Value::as_bool).unwrap_or(false);
+            }
         }
         if let Some(setups) = crate::print_ui::setups_from_json(&v["print_printers"]) {
             self.print_draft.setups = setups;
@@ -366,6 +393,7 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         if let Some(on) = v["always_default_view"].as_bool() {
             self.always_default_view = on;
         }
+        self.restore_print_prefs(v);
         if let Some(on) = v["highlight_fields"].as_bool() {
             self.view_defaults.highlight_fields = on;
         }
@@ -375,7 +403,6 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         if let Some(closed) = v["right_panel_closed"].as_bool() {
             self.right_panel_closed = closed;
         }
-        self.restore_print_prefs(v);
         // Scan & OCR choices (language, engine, strategy, output mode, preprocessing and skip
         // flags); unknown or malformed values keep the defaults.
         self.ocr_draft.apply_pref(&v["ocr"]);
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
index 097eeb736c..7dfa39aa8c 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ mod hotbar;
 mod panels;
 pub mod panes;
 pub use print_ui::{
-    Handling as PrintHandling, OptionsSource, PrintDraft, PrinterSetup, PrinterSource, Spooler, TwoSidedSource, Which as PrintWhich, system_printers,
-    system_two_sided,
+    DefaultPaperSource, Handling as PrintHandling, OptionsSource, PrintDraft, PrinterPapersSource, PrinterSetup, PrinterSource, Spooler,
+    TwoSidedSource, Which as PrintWhich, system_printers, system_two_sided,
 };
 pub use redact_ui::{HiddenDraft, PagesDraft as RedactPagesDraft, RedactPrefs, SearchDraft as RedactSearchDraft, SearchMode as RedactSearchMode};
 pub mod i18n;
@@ -435,6 +435,10 @@ pub struct PdfCraftApp {
     pub printer_source: Option<PrinterSource>,
     /// Where Properties… reads a printer's driver options: the spooler's unless a test stands in.
     pub options_source: Option<OptionsSource>,
+    /// Where a printer's configured default paper comes from: DEVMODE / driver settings unless a test stands in.
+    pub default_paper_source: Option<DefaultPaperSource>,
+    /// Where a printer's supported paper sizes come from: driver capabilities unless a test stands in.
+    pub printer_papers_source: Option<PrinterPapersSource>,
     /// What print jobs go to: the system spooler unless a test stands in ([`Spooler`]).
     pub spooler: Option<Spooler>,
     /// Reads the picked printer's two-sided support in the background (the desktop app sets it;
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/open_worker.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/open_worker.rs
index 94052f6368..8f7b0c5d3f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/open_worker.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/open_worker.rs
@@ -83,29 +83,67 @@ impl OpenWorker {
         password: Option<zeroize::Zeroizing<String>>,
         input: Input,
     ) -> Result<Receiver<ResultMessage>, String> {
+        let (job, receiver) = self.build_job(token, context, name, path, password, input);
+        self.enqueue(job, false)?;
+        Ok(receiver)
+    }
+
+    pub fn submit_priority(
+        &self,
+        token: u64,
+        context: OpenContext,
+        name: String,
+        path: Option<String>,
+        password: Option<zeroize::Zeroizing<String>>,
+        input: Input,
+    ) -> Result<Receiver<ResultMessage>, String> {
+        let (job, receiver) = self.build_job(token, context, name, path, password, input);
+        self.enqueue(job, true)?;
+        Ok(receiver)
+    }
+
+    fn build_job(
+        &self,
+        token: u64,
+        context: OpenContext,
+        name: String,
+        path: Option<String>,
+        password: Option<zeroize::Zeroizing<String>>,
+        input: Input,
+    ) -> (Job, Receiver<ResultMessage>) {
         let (reply, receiver) = mpsc::channel();
-        let job = Job {
-            token,
-            context,
-            name,
-            path,
-            password,
-            input,
-            reply,
-            #[cfg(test)]
-            gate: self.gate.clone(),
-        };
+        (
+            Job {
+                token,
+                context,
+                name,
+                path,
+                password,
+                input,
+                reply,
+                #[cfg(test)]
+                gate: self.gate.clone(),
+            },
+            receiver,
+        )
+    }
+
+    fn enqueue(&self, job: Job, priority: bool) -> Result<(), String> {
         let (lock, ready) = &*self.queue;
         let mut queue = lock.lock().unwrap_or_else(PoisonError::into_inner);
         if queue.shutdown {
             return Err("the document-open worker has stopped".into());
         }
-        if queue.jobs.len() >= MAX_QUEUED_OPENS {
+        if !priority && queue.jobs.len() >= MAX_QUEUED_OPENS {
             return Err("too many documents are waiting to open".into());
         }
-        queue.jobs.push_back(job);
+        if priority {
+            queue.jobs.push_front(job);
+        } else {
+            queue.jobs.push_back(job);
+        }
         ready.notify_one();
-        Ok(receiver)
+        Ok(())
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/open_worker/tests.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/open_worker/tests.rs
index 55bd4cb299..62520f3edf 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/open_worker/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/platform/open_worker/tests.rs
@@ -922,6 +922,55 @@ fn a_repeated_waiting_open_keeps_the_tool_it_brings() {
     assert_eq!(app.deferred_opens.front().and_then(|d| d.then), Some("export.text"));
 }
 
+/// A password retry submits with priority and succeeds even when the open worker queue is full
+/// of ordinary background documents, placing the retry at the head of the worker queue.
+#[test]
+#[allow(clippy::expect_used, clippy::panic, clippy::unwrap_used)]
+fn password_retry_submits_with_priority_when_worker_queue_is_full() {
+    let (gate, started, release, finished) = open_worker::prepare_gate();
+    let worker = open_worker::OpenWorker::new(Some(gate)).expect("worker");
+    let pdf = Arc::new(fixture(1));
+    let open_context = pdfcraft_engine::Session::new().open_context();
+
+    // Fill the worker queue to its limit while the gate holds the worker on the first job.
+    let _first =
+        worker.submit(1, open_context.clone(), "first.pdf".into(), None, None, open_worker::Input::Bytes(pdf.clone())).expect("submit first");
+    started.recv_timeout(Duration::from_secs(5)).expect("first job reached gate");
+
+    for token in 2..=(open_worker::MAX_QUEUED_OPENS as u64 + 1) {
+        worker
+            .submit(token, open_context.clone(), format!("doc-{token}.pdf"), None, None, open_worker::Input::Bytes(pdf.clone()))
+            .expect("queue up to limit");
+    }
+
+    // At capacity, an ordinary submit fails with the capacity error.
+    let overflow = worker.submit(999, open_context.clone(), "overflow.pdf".into(), None, None, open_worker::Input::Bytes(pdf.clone()));
+    assert_eq!(overflow.err(), Some("too many documents are waiting to open".into()));
+
+    // A priority submit (such as a password prompt retry) succeeds and enters the queue.
+    let priority_token = 1000;
+    let priority_recv = worker.submit_priority(
+        priority_token,
+        open_context.clone(),
+        "password-retry.pdf".into(),
+        None,
+        Some(zeroize::Zeroizing::new("secret".into())),
+        open_worker::Input::Bytes(pdf.clone()),
+    );
+    assert!(priority_recv.is_ok(), "priority submit must bypass the queued opens limit");
+
+    // Release the first job; the priority job must be processed next because it was pushed to the front.
+    release.send(()).expect("release first");
+    finished.recv_timeout(Duration::from_secs(5)).expect("first finished");
+
+    started.recv_timeout(Duration::from_secs(5)).expect("priority job reached gate next");
+    release.send(()).expect("release priority");
+    finished.recv_timeout(Duration::from_secs(5)).expect("priority finished");
+
+    let priority_result = priority_recv.unwrap().recv_timeout(Duration::from_secs(5)).expect("priority result");
+    assert_eq!(priority_result.token, priority_token);
+}
+
 /// A password prompt keeps a place in the worker's bounded queue for its retry: files named after
 /// the protected one fill the rest and wait in order, and the retry is queued, not refused as
 /// "too many documents are waiting to open" while the worker has yet to take the others.
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_paper.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_paper.rs
index bdfaac7fe7..b84d7bd78b 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_paper.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_paper.rs
@@ -63,13 +63,13 @@ pub fn is_paper_name(name: &str) -> bool {
 impl PrintDraft {
     /// The paper list: the standard sizes, then the custom ones.
     pub fn paper_count(&self) -> usize {
-        PAPERS.len() + self.custom_papers.len()
+        self.papers.len() + self.custom_papers.len()
     }
 
     /// The chosen paper's size (points, portrait).
     pub fn paper_size(&self) -> (f64, f64) {
-        match self.paper.checked_sub(PAPERS.len()) {
-            None => PAPERS[self.paper.min(PAPERS.len() - 1)].1,
+        match self.paper.checked_sub(self.papers.len()) {
+            None => self.papers.get(self.paper).map_or(PAPERS[0].1, |p| p.1),
             Some(c) => self.custom_papers.get(c).map_or(PAPERS[0].1, |p| (p.width, p.height)),
         }
     }
@@ -81,20 +81,23 @@ impl PrintDraft {
 
     /// The name of the paper at `index` in the list; the first size's for a stale index.
     pub fn paper_name_at(&self, index: usize) -> String {
-        match index.checked_sub(PAPERS.len()) {
-            None => PAPERS[index.min(PAPERS.len() - 1)].0.to_string(),
+        match index.checked_sub(self.papers.len()) {
+            None => self.papers.get(index).map_or_else(|| PAPERS[0].0.to_string(), |p| p.0.clone()),
             Some(c) => self.custom_papers.get(c).map_or_else(|| PAPERS[0].0.to_string(), |p| p.name.clone()),
         }
     }
 
     /// The index of the paper called `name`, standard or custom.
     pub fn paper_index(&self, name: &str) -> Option<usize> {
-        PAPERS.iter().position(|(n, _)| *n == name).or_else(|| self.custom_papers.iter().position(|p| p.name == name).map(|i| PAPERS.len() + i))
+        self.papers
+            .iter()
+            .position(|(n, _)| *n == name)
+            .or_else(|| self.custom_papers.iter().position(|p| p.name == name).map(|i| self.papers.len() + i))
     }
 
     /// True when the chosen paper is a custom one (which can be removed).
     pub fn paper_is_custom(&self) -> bool {
-        self.paper >= PAPERS.len()
+        self.paper >= self.papers.len()
     }
 
     /// Add (or replace, by name) a custom paper and choose it.
@@ -104,12 +107,14 @@ impl PrintDraft {
             self.custom_papers.remove(0);
         }
         self.custom_papers.push(paper);
-        self.paper = PAPERS.len() + self.custom_papers.len() - 1;
+        // Add is an explicit choice too: an outstanding driver read must not replace it.
+        self.paper_overridden = true;
+        self.paper = self.papers.len() + self.custom_papers.len() - 1;
     }
 
     /// Take the chosen custom paper off the list; the dialog goes back to the first size.
     pub fn remove_custom_paper(&mut self) {
-        if let Some(i) = self.paper.checked_sub(PAPERS.len())
+        if let Some(i) = self.paper.checked_sub(self.papers.len())
             && i < self.custom_papers.len()
         {
             self.custom_papers.remove(i);
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui.rs
index 452fa10daa..c53feedf75 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
 use crate::file_filter::AddFilterAnyCase as _;
 use egui::{Color32, Pos2, Rect, Stroke, pos2, vec2};
-use pdfcraft_engine::print::{self, Binding, BookletSubset, Content, Layout, Orientation, PAPERS, PageOrder, SizeMode, Subset, spool};
+use pdfcraft_engine::print::{self, Binding, BookletSubset, Content, Layout, Orientation, PageOrder, SizeMode, Subset, spool};
 
 use crate::theme::{self, Tokens};
 use crate::{PdfCraftApp, widgets};
@@ -43,6 +43,14 @@ pub type PrinterSource = std::sync::Arc<dyn Fn() -> Vec<spool::Printer> + Send +
 /// UI language) unless a test stands in. Called off the GUI thread.
 pub type OptionsSource = std::sync::Arc<dyn Fn(&str) -> Vec<spool::PrinterOption> + Send + Sync>;
 
+/// Where a printer's configured default paper comes from: the spooler's DEVMODE / driver settings
+/// unless a test stands in.
+pub type DefaultPaperSource = std::sync::Arc<dyn Fn(&str) -> Option<(String, (f64, f64))> + Send + Sync>;
+
+/// Where a printer's supported paper sizes come from: the spooler driver capabilities
+/// unless a test stands in.
+pub type PrinterPapersSource = std::sync::Arc<dyn Fn(&str) -> Vec<spool::Paper> + Send + Sync>;
+
 /// What takes a print job in place of the system spooler: a test's stand-in, which gets the
 /// print-ready PDF and the job and answers as the spooler would. Called off the GUI thread.
 pub type Spooler = std::sync::Arc<dyn Fn(&[u8], &spool::Job) -> Result<String, String> + Send + Sync>;
@@ -64,6 +72,11 @@ pub fn system_two_sided() -> TwoSidedSource {
     std::sync::Arc::new(spool::two_sided)
 }
 
+#[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+type PaperInfo = (Vec<spool::Paper>, Option<spool::Paper>);
+#[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+type PendingPaperInfo = (String, std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<PaperInfo>);
+
 /// The Print dialog's work in the background: the printer list being read, and the jobs being
 /// spooled, oldest first.
 #[derive(Default)]
@@ -81,6 +94,12 @@ pub(crate) struct PrintTasks {
     /// The driver options being read, per printer (`read_options_in_background`).
     #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
     options: Vec<(String, std::sync::mpsc::Receiver<Vec<spool::PrinterOption>>)>,
+    /// The papers and default paper being read in the background, per printer (`read_papers_in_background`).
+    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+    papers: Vec<PendingPaperInfo>,
+    /// Cached papers and default paper per printer so switching printers avoids re-querying.
+    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+    papers_cache: std::collections::HashMap<String, PaperInfo>,
     /// The browser print being drawn, a sheet a frame (`web_print`).
     #[cfg(target_arch = "wasm32")]
     web_job: Option<crate::web_print::WebPrintJob>,
@@ -162,6 +181,7 @@ impl Drop for WakeOnExit {
 }
 
 impl PdfCraftApp {
+    /// Open the Print dialog, preselecting the default printer and reading papers in the background.
     pub fn open_print(&mut self) {
         let Some((i, _)) = self.active_ids() else { return };
         let (printers, printers_loading) = match self.printer_source.clone() {
@@ -222,7 +242,7 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
             printers_loading,
             printer_picked: picked,
             units: self.units,
-            printer,
+            printer: printer.clone(),
             current_page: current,
             sheet: 0,
             selected,
@@ -234,6 +254,10 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         if changed {
             self.print_draft.apply_setup();
         }
+        #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+        if let Some(p) = printer {
+            self.read_papers_in_background(p);
+        }
         self.dialog = Some(crate::Dialog::Print);
     }
 
@@ -281,6 +305,7 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         self.print_draft.crop_pages = Some(pages);
     }
 
+    /// Read the printer list in the background off the GUI thread; `poll_print` picks it up.
     #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
     fn list_printers_in_background(&mut self, source: PrinterSource) {
         // A list already being read is as fresh as a new one would be.
@@ -337,12 +362,102 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Read `printer`'s papers and default paper off the GUI thread (#5861); `poll_print` picks them up.
+    /// A read already under way for the same printer is left to finish.
+    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+    fn read_papers_in_background(&mut self, printer: String) {
+        if let Some((papers, default_paper)) = self.print_tasks.papers_cache.get(&printer).cloned() {
+            let d = &mut self.print_draft;
+            if d.printer.as_deref() == Some(printer.as_str()) {
+                d.apply_printer_papers(papers);
+                if !d.paper_overridden {
+                    d.apply_default_paper(default_paper);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        self.print_draft.papers_loading = Some(printer.clone());
+        if self.print_tasks.papers.iter().any(|(p, _)| *p == printer) {
+            return;
+        }
+        let papers_source = self.printer_papers_source.clone();
+        let default_source = self.default_paper_source.clone();
+        let (tx, rx) = std::sync::mpsc::channel();
+        let wake = WakeOnExit(self.ctx.clone());
+        let name = printer.clone();
+        let spawned = std::thread::Builder::new().name("printer papers".into()).spawn(move || {
+            let _wake = wake;
+            let tx = tx;
+            let info = match (&papers_source, &default_source) {
+                (None, None) => spool::printer_paper_info(&name),
+                (papers_s, def_s) => {
+                    let papers = match papers_s {
+                        Some(s) => s(&name),
+                        None => spool::printer_papers(&name),
+                    };
+                    let def = match def_s {
+                        Some(s) => s(&name),
+                        None => spool::printer_default_paper(&name),
+                    };
+                    (papers, def)
+                }
+            };
+            let _ = tx.send(info);
+        });
+        match spawned {
+            Ok(_) => self.print_tasks.papers.push((printer, rx)),
+            Err(_) => {
+                let d = &mut self.print_draft;
+                if d.papers_loading.as_deref() == Some(printer.as_str()) {
+                    d.papers_loading = None;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The papers and default paper read for `printer` arrived, or the read died.
+    #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+    fn receive_papers(&mut self, printer: String, papers: Vec<spool::Paper>, default_paper: Option<spool::Paper>) {
+        if !papers.is_empty() || default_paper.is_some() {
+            self.print_tasks.papers_cache.insert(printer.clone(), (papers.clone(), default_paper.clone()));
+        }
+        let d = &mut self.print_draft;
+        if d.papers_loading.as_deref() == Some(printer.as_str()) {
+            d.papers_loading = None;
+        }
+        if d.printer.as_deref() == Some(printer.as_str()) {
+            if !papers.is_empty() {
+                d.apply_printer_papers(papers);
+            }
+            if !d.paper_overridden && default_paper.is_some() {
+                d.apply_default_paper(default_paper);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Pick up a printer list, driver options or a spooled job that finished (each frame).
     pub(crate) fn poll_print(&mut self) {
         #[cfg(target_arch = "wasm32")]
         self.poll_web_print();
         #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
         {
+            if let Some(printer) = self.print_draft.read_papers_for.take() {
+                self.read_papers_in_background(printer);
+            }
+            let mut arrived_papers = Vec::new();
+            self.print_tasks.papers.retain(|(printer, rx)| match rx.try_recv() {
+                Ok((papers, def)) => {
+                    arrived_papers.push((printer.clone(), papers, def));
+                    false
+                }
+                Err(std::sync::mpsc::TryRecvError::Empty) => true,
+                Err(std::sync::mpsc::TryRecvError::Disconnected) => {
+                    arrived_papers.push((printer.clone(), Vec::new(), None));
+                    false
+                }
+            });
+            for (printer, papers, def) in arrived_papers {
+                self.receive_papers(printer, papers, def);
+            }
             if let Some(printer) = self.print_draft.read_options_for.take() {
                 self.read_options_in_background(printer);
             }
@@ -373,16 +488,27 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
                     self.print_tasks.printers = None;
                     let d = &mut self.print_draft;
                     // A picked printer that is no longer listed falls back to the default too.
-                    if !d.printer_picked || !offered(d.printer.as_deref(), &printers) {
+                    let changed = if !d.printer_picked || !offered(d.printer.as_deref(), &printers) {
                         d.printer_picked = false;
                         let printer = default_printer(d, &printers);
-                        if printer != d.printer {
+                        let changed = printer != d.printer;
+                        if changed {
                             d.printer = printer;
                             d.apply_setup();
                         }
-                    }
+                        changed
+                    } else {
+                        false
+                    };
                     d.printers = printers;
                     d.printers_loading = false;
+                    if changed {
+                        d.reset_unoverridden_custom_paper();
+                        d.apply_printer_papers(Vec::new());
+                        if let Some(p) = d.printer.clone() {
+                            self.read_papers_in_background(p);
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
             }
             self.poll_two_sided();
@@ -486,6 +612,7 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
         self.print_tasks.two_sided.push((name, rx));
     }
 
+    /// Report the outcome of a finished print job to the user.
     fn report_print_job(&mut self, printer: &str, result: Result<String, String>) {
         match result {
             Ok(msg) if msg.is_empty() => self.notify(crate::i18n::fmt(tl!("Sent to {printer}"), &[("printer", printer)])),
@@ -498,6 +625,9 @@ impl PdfCraftApp {
     /// a preset path returns `true` once the save picker is showing; the file is written on a
     /// later frame, when the user has chosen where.
     pub fn print_now(&mut self) -> bool {
+        if still_looking(&self.print_draft) || self.print_draft.papers_loading() {
+            return false;
+        }
         // What's typed in a form field is part of what's printed (#166).
         if !self.commit_form_typing() {
             return false;
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/body.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/body.rs
index d4c9b3444d..d9a0f7280f 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/body.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/body.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use super::draft::{CUSTOM_SCALE, Handling, PrintDraft, Which};
 use super::{
-    Binding, BookletSubset, Color32, Content, Orientation, PAPERS, PREVIEW_BOX, PREVIEW_H, PREVIEW_W, PageOrder, Pos2, Rect, SizeMode, Stroke,
-    Subset, Tokens, pos2, print, printer_label, spool, still_looking, theme, vec2, widgets,
+    Binding, BookletSubset, Color32, Content, Orientation, PREVIEW_BOX, PREVIEW_H, PREVIEW_W, PageOrder, Pos2, Rect, SizeMode, Stroke, Subset,
+    Tokens, pos2, print, printer_label, spool, still_looking, theme, vec2, widgets,
 };
 
 /// The narrowest the title is still worth cutting: an ellipsis and a couple of pixels at the title's
@@ -201,6 +201,11 @@ pub(crate) fn body(
                     d.driver_error = None;
                     // What this printer was last printed with (#2001).
                     d.apply_setup();
+                    d.reset_unoverridden_custom_paper();
+                    d.apply_printer_papers(Vec::new());
+                    if let Some(p) = d.printer.clone() {
+                        d.read_papers_for = Some(p);
+                    }
                 }
                 ui.end_row();
                 // The spooler answered with no printer at all (#160): say so, rather than
@@ -247,23 +252,35 @@ pub(crate) fn body(
                 let paper_label = ui.label(tl!("Paper:"));
                 d.paper = d.paper.min(d.paper_count().saturating_sub(1));
                 let before = d.paper;
+                let mut paper_clicked = false;
+                let detecting = d.papers_loading();
                 ui.horizontal(|ui| {
                     // A standard size's name is translated; a custom paper keeps the name it was given.
-                    let shown = if d.paper_is_custom() { d.paper_name() } else { tl!(d.paper_name().as_str()).to_string() };
-                    craft_ui::ComboBox::from_id_salt("paper").selected_text(shown).width(260.0).show_ui(ui, |ui| {
-                        for (i, (name, _)) in PAPERS.iter().enumerate() {
-                            ui.selectable_value(&mut d.paper, i, tl!(name));
+                    let shown = if d.paper_is_custom() { d.paper_name().to_string() } else { tl!(&d.paper_name()).to_string() };
+                    craft_ui::ComboBox::from_id_salt("paper").selected_text(shown).width(180.0).show_ui(ui, |ui| {
+                        if detecting {
+                            ui.add_enabled(false, egui::Label::new(tl!("Detecting paper…")));
+                        }
+                        for (i, (name, _)) in d.papers.iter().enumerate() {
+                            if ui.selectable_value(&mut d.paper, i, tl!(name)).clicked() {
+                                paper_clicked = true;
+                            }
                         }
                         if !d.custom_papers.is_empty() {
                             ui.separator();
                         }
                         for (i, p) in d.custom_papers.iter().enumerate() {
                             let label = format!("{} ({})", p.name, d.units.size(p.width, p.height));
-                            ui.selectable_value(&mut d.paper, PAPERS.len() + i, label);
+                            if ui.selectable_value(&mut d.paper, d.papers.len() + i, label).clicked() {
+                                paper_clicked = true;
+                            }
                         }
                     })
                     .response
                     .labelled_by(paper_label.id);
+                    if detecting {
+                        ui.label(egui::RichText::new(tl!("Detecting…")).small().color(t.text_muted));
+                    }
                     if ui.button(tl!("Custom…")).on_hover_text(tl!("Add a paper size of your own to the list")).clicked() {
                         d.custom_new = match d.custom_new {
                             Some(_) => None,
@@ -272,10 +289,38 @@ pub(crate) fn body(
                     }
                     if d.paper_is_custom() && ui.button(tl!("Remove")).on_hover_text(tl!("Take this paper size off the list")).clicked() {
                         d.remove_custom_paper();
+                        paper_clicked = true;
+                    }
+                    let page_setup_tip = if spool::HAS_PRINTER_PREFERENCES {
+                        tl!("Selects paper size and orientation from the printer driver. For paper tray, print quality or other driver defaults, use Properties…")
+                    } else {
+                        tl!("Page setup dialog is not available on this system.")
+                    };
+                    let page_setup = ui
+                        .add_enabled(d.printer.is_some() && !browser && spool::HAS_PRINTER_PREFERENCES, egui::Button::new(tl!("Page Setup…")))
+                        .on_hover_text(page_setup_tip);
+                    if page_setup.clicked()
+                        && let Some(p) = d.printer.clone()
+                    {
+                        d.driver_error = None;
+                        #[cfg(windows)]
+                        let parent = winsafe::HWND::GetActiveWindow().map(|h| h.ptr() as isize);
+                        #[cfg(not(windows))]
+                        let parent = None;
+                        match spool::show_printer_properties(&p, parent) {
+                            Ok(Some((name, size))) => {
+                                d.apply_driver_paper(name, size);
+                            }
+                            Ok(None) => {}
+                            Err(e) => d.driver_error = Some(e.to_string()),
+                        }
                     }
                 });
+                if paper_clicked || d.paper != before {
+                    d.paper_overridden = true;
+                }
                 // Label stock gets the label layout (cut, turned upright, fitted).
-                if d.paper != before && d.paper == print::LABEL_PAPER && d.which != Which::Area {
+                if paper_clicked && d.paper != before && d.paper == print::LABEL_PAPER && d.which != Which::Area {
                     d.paper_before_label = Some(before);
                     d.handling = Handling::Label;
                     d.sheet = 0;
@@ -308,11 +353,12 @@ pub(crate) fn body(
             if let Some(&source) = sizes.get(d.current_page) {
                 ui.horizontal_wrapped(|ui| {
                     ui.label(crate::i18n::fmt(tl!("PDF page: {size}"), &[("size", &d.units.size(source.0, source.1))]));
-                    let matched = print::matching_paper(source);
+                    let matched = d.matching_paper(source);
                     if ui.add_enabled(matched.is_some(), egui::Button::new(tl!("Match page at 100%"))).clicked()
                         && let Some(paper) = matched
                     {
                         d.paper = paper;
+                        d.paper_overridden = true;
                         // A paper picked outright: nothing for leaving Label to give back.
                         d.paper_before_label = None;
                         d.handling = Handling::Size;
@@ -649,8 +695,13 @@ pub(crate) fn body(
     let (mut go, mut cancel) = (false, false);
     ui.with_layout(egui::Layout::right_to_left(egui::Align::Center), |ui| {
         let looking = still_looking(d);
+        let waiting_paper = d.papers_loading();
         let label = if d.printer.is_some() || looking { tl!("Print") } else { tl!("Save as PDF") };
-        if ui.add_enabled_ui(settings.is_ok() && !sheets.is_empty() && !looking, |ui| widgets::pill_button(ui, label, true)).inner.clicked() {
+        if ui
+            .add_enabled_ui(settings.is_ok() && !sheets.is_empty() && !looking && !waiting_paper, |ui| widgets::pill_button(ui, label, true))
+            .inner
+            .clicked()
+        {
             go = true;
         }
         if widgets::pill_button(ui, tl!("Cancel"), false).clicked() {
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/draft.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/draft.rs
index e74cd4e069..ced55e7a25 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/draft.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/draft.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 use super::setups::{self, PrinterSetup};
 use super::{Binding, BookletSubset, Content, Layout, Orientation, PageOrder, SizeMode, Subset, print, spool};
+use pdfcraft_engine::print::PAPERS;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum Which {
@@ -83,6 +84,10 @@ pub struct PrintDraft {
     pub custom_new: Option<(String, String, String)>,
     /// The paper chosen before Label put label stock in, so leaving Label gives it back (#3564).
     pub paper_before_label: Option<usize>,
+    /// Whether the user has explicitly chosen or overridden the paper size.
+    pub paper_overridden: bool,
+    /// The list of papers available for selection (standard PAPERS plus any detected from the driver).
+    pub papers: Vec<(String, (f64, f64))>,
     /// The sheet shown in the preview (0-based).
     pub sheet: usize,
     pub current_page: usize,
@@ -105,6 +110,10 @@ pub struct PrintDraft {
     pub driver_options_loading: Option<String>,
     /// Properties… asked for this printer's options; the app starts the read on the next frame.
     pub read_options_for: Option<String>,
+    /// The printer whose papers and default paper are being read in the background.
+    pub papers_loading: Option<String>,
+    /// A printer change requested reading papers; the app starts the read on the next frame.
+    pub read_papers_for: Option<String>,
     /// Whether each printer's driver takes two-sided settings, as read in the background for
     /// the printer picked (see [`TwoSidedSource`](super::TwoSidedSource)); `None` when it couldn't be read.
     pub two_sided: std::collections::BTreeMap<String, Option<bool>>,
@@ -155,6 +164,8 @@ impl Default for PrintDraft {
             custom_papers: Vec::new(),
             custom_new: None,
             paper_before_label: None,
+            paper_overridden: false,
+            papers: default_papers(),
             sheet: 0,
             current_page: 0,
             driver_options: None,
@@ -166,13 +177,202 @@ impl Default for PrintDraft {
             crop_pages: None,
             driver_options_loading: None,
             read_options_for: None,
+            papers_loading: None,
+            read_papers_for: None,
             two_sided: Default::default(),
             setups: Vec::new(),
         }
     }
 }
 
+/// Standard fallback paper presets.
+pub fn default_papers() -> Vec<(String, (f64, f64))> {
+    PAPERS.iter().map(|(n, s)| (n.to_string(), *s)).collect()
+}
+
 impl PrintDraft {
+    /// Find the index of a paper in `self.papers` matching `size`, allowing for orientation.
+    pub fn matching_paper(&self, size: (f64, f64)) -> Option<usize> {
+        print::matching_paper(size).or_else(|| {
+            self.papers.iter().position(|(_, p)| {
+                ((p.0 - size.0).abs() <= 0.5 && (p.1 - size.1).abs() <= 0.5) || ((p.0 - size.1).abs() <= 0.5 && (p.1 - size.0).abs() <= 0.5)
+            })
+        })
+    }
+
+    /// Whether automatic paper detection for the selected printer is in progress and unresolved.
+    ///
+    /// When true, the user has not explicitly chosen or overridden the paper, and the selected
+    /// printer's media sizes and default paper are still being read in the background off the GUI thread.
+    pub fn papers_loading(&self) -> bool {
+        let Some(p) = self.printer.as_deref() else { return false };
+        !self.paper_overridden && (self.papers_loading.as_deref() == Some(p) || self.read_papers_for.as_deref() == Some(p))
+    }
+
+    /// Reset an automatically selected custom paper to a standard preset on printer change.
+    ///
+    /// If the currently selected paper does not match any standard preset and `paper_overridden` is false,
+    /// resets `paper` to 0 (the standard default preset) so printer A's custom paper does not
+    /// carry over when switching to printer B. Also resets `paper_before_label` if it refers to
+    /// an unoverridden custom paper. Explicit user overrides (`paper_overridden == true`) are preserved.
+    pub fn reset_unoverridden_custom_paper(&mut self) {
+        if !self.paper_overridden {
+            if print::matching_paper(self.paper_size()).is_none() {
+                self.paper = 0;
+            }
+            if let Some(idx) = self.paper_before_label {
+                let is_custom = self.papers.get(idx).is_none_or(|(_, s)| print::matching_paper(*s).is_none());
+                if is_custom {
+                    self.paper_before_label = Some(0);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Refresh `self.papers` with driver-reported media sizes, preserving the current selection.
+    pub fn update_printer_papers(&mut self) {
+        self.update_printer_papers_with(None);
+    }
+
+    /// Refresh `self.papers` with driver-reported media sizes from an optional source or the driver.
+    pub fn update_printer_papers_with(&mut self, source: Option<&super::PrinterPapersSource>) {
+        let detected = if let Some(ref printer) = self.printer {
+            if let Some(source) = source { source(printer) } else { spool::printer_papers(printer) }
+        } else {
+            Vec::new()
+        };
+        self.apply_printer_papers(detected);
+    }
+
+    /// Apply driver-reported media sizes to `self.papers`, preserving the current selection.
+    pub fn apply_printer_papers(&mut self, detected: Vec<(String, (f64, f64))>) {
+        let custom_paper_idx = self.paper.checked_sub(self.papers.len());
+        let before_label_custom = self.paper_before_label.and_then(|idx| idx.checked_sub(self.papers.len()));
+        let before_label = if before_label_custom.is_some() { None } else { self.paper_before_label.and_then(|idx| self.papers.get(idx).cloned()) };
+        let current_name = self.paper_name().to_string();
+        let current_size = self.paper_size();
+        let mut papers = default_papers();
+        for (name, size) in detected {
+            if !(size.0 >= 72.0 && size.1 >= 72.0 && size.0.is_finite() && size.1.is_finite()) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            let norm = (size.0.min(size.1), size.0.max(size.1));
+            if !papers.iter().any(|(_, s)| {
+                let s_norm = (s.0.min(s.1), s.0.max(s.1));
+                (s_norm.0 - norm.0).abs() <= 0.5 && (s_norm.1 - norm.1).abs() <= 0.5
+            }) {
+                papers.push((name, size));
+            }
+        }
+        self.papers = papers;
+        if let Some(c_idx) = custom_paper_idx {
+            if c_idx < self.custom_papers.len() {
+                self.paper = self.papers.len() + c_idx;
+            } else {
+                self.paper = 0;
+            }
+        } else if let Some(pos) =
+            self.papers.iter().position(|(n, s)| n == &current_name && (s.0 - current_size.0).abs() <= 0.5 && (s.1 - current_size.1).abs() <= 0.5)
+        {
+            self.paper = pos;
+        } else if let Some(pos) = self.papers.iter().position(|(_, s)| (s.0 - current_size.0).abs() <= 0.5 && (s.1 - current_size.1).abs() <= 0.5) {
+            self.paper = pos;
+        } else {
+            self.papers.push((current_name, current_size));
+            self.paper = self.papers.len() - 1;
+        }
+        if let Some(c_idx) = before_label_custom {
+            if c_idx < self.custom_papers.len() {
+                self.paper_before_label = Some(self.papers.len() + c_idx);
+            } else {
+                self.paper_before_label = None;
+            }
+        } else {
+            self.paper_before_label = before_label.map(|(name, size)| {
+                if let Some(pos) = self.papers.iter().position(|(n, s)| n == &name && (s.0 - size.0).abs() <= 0.5 && (s.1 - size.1).abs() <= 0.5) {
+                    pos
+                } else if let Some(pos) = self.papers.iter().position(|(_, s)| (s.0 - size.0).abs() <= 0.5 && (s.1 - size.1).abs() <= 0.5) {
+                    pos
+                } else {
+                    self.papers.push((name, size));
+                    self.papers.len() - 1
+                }
+            });
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Auto-select the printer's configured default paper (from DEVMODE / driver settings).
+    pub fn auto_select_default_paper(&mut self) {
+        self.auto_select_default_paper_with(None);
+    }
+
+    /// Auto-select the printer's default paper using an optional source (or DEVMODE / driver settings).
+    pub fn auto_select_default_paper_with(&mut self, source: Option<&super::DefaultPaperSource>) {
+        if let Some(ref printer) = self.printer {
+            let detected = if let Some(source) = source { source(printer) } else { spool::printer_default_paper(printer) };
+            self.apply_default_paper(detected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Apply the detected default paper.
+    pub fn apply_default_paper(&mut self, detected: Option<(String, (f64, f64))>) {
+        if let Some((name, size)) = detected
+            && let Some(pos) = self.find_or_add_paper(name, size)
+        {
+            if self.handling == Handling::Label {
+                if !self.paper_overridden {
+                    self.paper_before_label = Some(pos);
+                }
+            } else {
+                self.paper = pos;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Locate `(name, size)` in `self.papers`, or append it if missing. Returns the paper index.
+    pub fn find_or_add_paper(&mut self, name: String, size: (f64, f64)) -> Option<usize> {
+        if !(size.0 >= 72.0 && size.1 >= 72.0 && size.0.is_finite() && size.1.is_finite()) {
+            return None;
+        }
+        if let Some(pos) = print::matching_paper(size) {
+            Some(pos)
+        } else if !name.is_empty() {
+            let norm = (size.0.min(size.1), size.0.max(size.1));
+            if let Some(pos) = self.papers.iter().position(|(n, s)| {
+                n.eq_ignore_ascii_case(&name) && {
+                    let s_norm = (s.0.min(s.1), s.0.max(s.1));
+                    (s_norm.0 - norm.0).abs() <= 1.0 && (s_norm.1 - norm.1).abs() <= 1.0
+                }
+            }) {
+                Some(pos)
+            } else if let Some(pos) = self.matching_paper(size) {
+                Some(pos)
+            } else {
+                self.papers.push((name, size));
+                Some(self.papers.len() - 1)
+            }
+        } else if let Some(pos) = self.matching_paper(size) {
+            Some(pos)
+        } else {
+            let custom_name = format!("{:.1} x {:.1} pt", size.0, size.1);
+            self.papers.push((custom_name, size));
+            Some(self.papers.len() - 1)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Apply paper size and orientation chosen in printer properties or page setup.
+    pub fn apply_driver_paper(&mut self, name: String, size: (f64, f64)) {
+        if let Some(pos) = self.find_or_add_paper(name, size) {
+            self.paper_overridden = true;
+            self.paper = pos;
+            if size.0 > size.1 {
+                self.orientation = Orientation::Landscape;
+            } else if size.1 > size.0 {
+                self.orientation = Orientation::Portrait;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Choose Page Sizing & Handling. Label loads label stock and remembers the paper it
     /// replaced; leaving Label gives that paper back, unless another one was picked meanwhile.
     pub fn set_handling(&mut self, handling: Handling) {
@@ -200,7 +400,8 @@ impl PrintDraft {
         // Label's stock is that job's; the printer keeps the paper Label replaced.
         let paper = if self.handling == Handling::Label { self.paper_before_label.unwrap_or(self.paper) } else { self.paper };
         // By name, so a custom paper is found again however the list changes.
-        let setup = PrinterSetup { paper: self.paper_name_at(paper), size: self.size, custom_scale: self.custom_scale, duplex: self.duplex };
+        let setup =
+            PrinterSetup { paper: self.paper_name_at(paper).to_string(), size: self.size, custom_scale: self.custom_scale, duplex: self.duplex };
         setups::record(&mut self.setups, &printer, setup);
     }
 
@@ -308,6 +509,7 @@ impl PrintDraft {
         self.as_image.then_some(print::Raster { dpi: self.dpi, grayscale: self.grayscale })
     }
 
+    /// Whether multiple pages per sheet should be cut and stacked into sorted piles.
     fn cut_and_stack(&self) -> bool {
         self.handling == Handling::Multiple && self.order == PageOrder::CutStack
     }
@@ -362,7 +564,8 @@ impl PrintDraft {
             }
             .into_iter()
             // The sheet the PDF was laid out on, not the queue's default paper.
-            .chain(print::media_option(self.paper))
+            // A user's custom label is not a keyword from the driver's media catalog.
+            .chain(Some(print::paper_media_option((!self.paper_is_custom()).then(|| self.paper_name()).as_deref(), self.paper_size())))
             .collect(),
         }
     }
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/setups.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/setups.rs
index 96a2cad692..74e2118be3 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/setups.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/setups.rs
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
 
     fn setup(paper: usize, size: SizeMode, duplex: Option<Duplex>) -> PrinterSetup {
-        PrinterSetup { paper: super::super::PAPERS[paper].0.to_string(), size, custom_scale: 62.5, duplex }
+        PrinterSetup { paper: pdfcraft_engine::print::PAPERS[paper].0.to_string(), size, custom_scale: 62.5, duplex }
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print.rs b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print.rs
index 89f9885477..ca8c8b5592 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print.rs
@@ -729,19 +729,25 @@ fn leaving_label_gives_back_the_paper_it_replaced() {
     let a4 = paper("A4");
     let mut h = harness();
     assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
-    h.run_steps(3);
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while (h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || h.state().print_draft.papers_loading()) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    h.run_steps(2);
     for (mode, tab) in
         [(PrintHandling::Size, "Size"), (PrintHandling::Poster, "Poster"), (PrintHandling::Multiple, "Multiple"), (PrintHandling::Booklet, "Booklet")]
     {
         h.state_mut().print_draft.paper = a4;
+        h.state_mut().print_draft.paper_overridden = true;
         h.state_mut().print_draft.handling = PrintHandling::Size;
         h.run_steps(2);
         h.get_by_role_and_label(Role::Button, "Label").click();
-        h.run_steps(2);
+        h.run_steps(3);
         assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.handling, PrintHandling::Label);
         assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, LABEL_PAPER, "Label puts label stock in");
         h.get_by_role_and_label(Role::Button, tab).click();
-        h.run_steps(2);
+        h.run_steps(3);
         assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.handling, mode);
         assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, a4, "{tab} gives A4 back after Label");
         h.get_by_value("A4");
@@ -808,21 +814,27 @@ fn a_paper_picked_from_the_menu_while_in_label_is_kept() {
     let (a4, letter) = (paper("A4"), paper("US Letter"));
     let mut h = harness();
     assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
-    h.run_steps(3);
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while (h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || h.state().print_draft.papers_loading()) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    h.run_steps(2);
     h.state_mut().print_draft.paper = a4;
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.paper_overridden = true;
     h.run_steps(2);
     h.get_by_role_and_label(Role::Button, "Label").click();
-    h.run_steps(2);
+    h.run_steps(3);
     assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, LABEL_PAPER);
     h.get_by_value(PAPERS[LABEL_PAPER].0).click();
     h.run_steps(2);
     h.get_by_label("US Letter").scroll_to_me();
     h.run_steps(4);
     h.get_by_label("US Letter").click();
-    h.run_steps(2);
+    h.run_steps(3);
     assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, letter);
     h.get_by_role_and_label(Role::Button, "Size").click();
-    h.run_steps(2);
+    h.run_steps(3);
     assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.handling, PrintHandling::Size);
     assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, letter, "the paper picked in Label is kept");
     h.get_by_value("US Letter");
@@ -896,6 +908,10 @@ fn a_dead_options_read_wakes_an_idle_dialog() {
     use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
     use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
     let mut h = harness();
+    // A real default printer starts paper and duplex workers that can wake this dialog
+    // between the panic flag and the options sender being dropped. Only the options worker
+    // should be able to satisfy the wake assertion below.
+    h.state_mut().printer_source = Some(Arc::new(Vec::new));
     let gate = Arc::new(Mutex::new(()));
     let hold = gate.lock().unwrap();
     let wait = gate.clone();
@@ -916,10 +932,12 @@ fn a_dead_options_read_wakes_an_idle_dialog() {
     // The preview's page rasters render on the pool and ask for frames until they arrive; on a
     // loaded machine that outlasts `run`'s step budget, so the dialog is idle only after them.
     let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
-    while h.state().render_pending() && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+    while (h.state().render_pending() || h.state().print_draft.printers_loading) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
         h.run_steps(1);
         std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
     }
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.printers_loading, "printer discovery finished before the idle assertion");
+    assert!(!h.state().render_pending(), "the preview finished before the idle assertion");
     h.run();
     assert!(!h.ctx.has_requested_repaint(), "the dialog is idle while the read waits");
     drop(hold);
@@ -1010,12 +1028,42 @@ fn paper_choice_survives_cancel_and_settings_restore() {
     let saved = h.state().persist();
     let json: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_str(&saved).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(json["print_paper"], "A4", "store the canonical name, not its position");
+    assert_eq!(json["print_paper_overridden"], true, "explicitly chosen paper records override flag");
     let mut app = PdfCraftApp::new();
     app.restore(&saved);
     // Grayscale is one of the preferences remembered across restarts (#2001); copies, pages and
     // orientation are this job's and are not saved.
-    let expected = pdfcraft_ui_egui::PrintDraft { paper: a4, grayscale: true, ..Default::default() };
+    let expected = pdfcraft_ui_egui::PrintDraft { paper: a4, grayscale: true, paper_overridden: true, ..Default::default() };
     assert_eq!(app.print_draft, expected, "only the paper and the remembered preferences persist");
+
+    // Default draft without override round-trips with paper_overridden remaining false.
+    let default_app = PdfCraftApp::new();
+    let default_saved = default_app.persist();
+    let default_json: serde_json::Value = serde_json::from_str(&default_saved).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(default_json["print_paper_overridden"], false);
+    let mut restored_default = PdfCraftApp::new();
+    restored_default.restore(&default_saved);
+    assert!(!restored_default.print_draft.paper_overridden);
+
+    // Opening print with a printer default paper selects that paper when paper_overridden is false.
+    let mut default_h = harness();
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::spool;
+    use std::sync::Arc;
+    default_h.state_mut().printer_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|| vec![spool::Printer { name: "Office Printer".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() }]));
+    default_h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| vec![("A4".into(), (595.28, 841.89))]));
+    default_h.state_mut().default_paper_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|printer: &str| if printer == "Office Printer" { Some(("A4".into(), (595.28, 841.89))) } else { None }));
+    assert!(default_h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while (default_h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || default_h.state().print_draft.papers_loading.is_some())
+        && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline
+    {
+        default_h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert_eq!(default_h.state().print_draft.paper, a4);
+    assert!(!default_h.state().print_draft.paper_overridden);
     let mut restarted = harness_with_settings(Some(saved));
     assert!(restarted.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
     restarted.run_steps(3);
@@ -1043,6 +1091,7 @@ fn paper_restore_accepts_canonical_names_and_ignores_invalid_settings() {
         let mut app = PdfCraftApp::new();
         app.restore(&serde_json::json!({"print_paper": name}).to_string());
         assert_eq!(app.print_draft.paper, index);
+        assert!(!app.print_draft.paper_overridden);
         assert_eq!(serde_json::from_str::<serde_json::Value>(&app.persist()).unwrap()["print_paper"], *name);
     }
     for invalid in [
@@ -1074,11 +1123,382 @@ fn paper_restore_accepts_canonical_names_and_ignores_invalid_settings() {
     assert_eq!(serde_json::from_str::<serde_json::Value>(&app.persist()).unwrap()["print_paper"], serde_json::Value::Null);
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn legacy_settings_restore_unsets_override_and_open_selects_printer_default() {
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::{PAPERS, spool};
+    use std::sync::Arc;
+    let letter = PAPERS.iter().position(|(name, _)| *name == "US Letter").unwrap();
+    let a4 = PAPERS.iter().position(|(name, _)| *name == "A4").unwrap();
+    let mut h = harness();
+    let legacy = serde_json::json!({
+        "print_paper": "US Letter",
+    })
+    .to_string();
+    h.state_mut().restore(&legacy);
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, letter);
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.paper_overridden, "legacy settings restore leaves paper_overridden as false");
+
+    h.state_mut().printer_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|| vec![spool::Printer { name: "Office Printer".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() }]));
+    h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| vec![("A4".into(), (595.28, 841.89))]));
+    h.state_mut().default_paper_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|printer: &str| if printer == "Office Printer" { Some(("A4".into(), (595.28, 841.89))) } else { None }));
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while (h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || h.state().print_draft.papers_loading.is_some()) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, a4);
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.paper_overridden);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn auto_select_default_paper_leaves_label_stock_unchanged() {
+    let mut draft = pdfcraft_ui_egui::PrintDraft {
+        printer: Some("Office Printer".into()),
+        handling: pdfcraft_ui_egui::PrintHandling::Label,
+        paper: pdfcraft_engine::print::LABEL_PAPER,
+        ..Default::default()
+    };
+    let a4 = pdfcraft_engine::print::PAPERS.iter().position(|(name, _)| *name == "A4").unwrap();
+    let source: pdfcraft_ui_egui::DefaultPaperSource = std::sync::Arc::new(move |_| Some(("A4".into(), (595.28, 841.89))));
+    draft.auto_select_default_paper_with(Some(&source));
+    assert_eq!(draft.paper, pdfcraft_engine::print::LABEL_PAPER);
+    assert_eq!(draft.paper_before_label, Some(a4));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn auto_select_default_paper_preserves_user_orientation() {
+    let mut draft = pdfcraft_ui_egui::PrintDraft {
+        printer: Some("Office Printer".into()),
+        orientation: pdfcraft_engine::print::Orientation::Landscape,
+        ..Default::default()
+    };
+    let source: pdfcraft_ui_egui::DefaultPaperSource = std::sync::Arc::new(move |_| Some(("A4".into(), (595.28, 841.89))));
+    draft.auto_select_default_paper_with(Some(&source));
+    assert_eq!(draft.orientation, pdfcraft_engine::print::Orientation::Landscape);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn cached_papers_apply_immediately_and_refresh_in_background() {
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::spool;
+    use std::sync::Arc;
+    use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicUsize, Ordering};
+
+    let calls = Arc::new(AtomicUsize::new(0));
+    let calls_clone = calls.clone();
+
+    let mut h = harness();
+    h.state_mut().printer_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|| vec![spool::Printer { name: "Cached Printer".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() }]));
+    h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(move |_| {
+        calls_clone.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        vec![("A4".into(), (595.28, 841.89))]
+    }));
+    h.state_mut().default_paper_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|printer: &str| if printer == "Cached Printer" { Some(("A4".into(), (595.28, 841.89))) } else { None }));
+
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while (h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || h.state().print_draft.papers_loading.is_some()) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert_eq!(calls.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 1);
+    let a4 = h.state().print_draft.paper;
+
+    h.state_mut().dialog = None;
+
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, a4);
+
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while h.state().print_draft.papers_loading.is_some() && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert_eq!(calls.load(Ordering::SeqCst), 2);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn uncached_printer_switch_resets_driver_papers_to_standard_presets() {
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::spool;
+    use std::sync::Arc;
+
+    let mut h = harness();
+    h.state_mut().printer_source = Some(Arc::new(|| {
+        vec![
+            spool::Printer { name: "Label Printer".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() },
+            spool::Printer { name: "Laser Printer".into(), default: false, two_sided: None, description: String::new() },
+        ]
+    }));
+    h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(|printer: &str| {
+        if printer == "Label Printer" {
+            vec![("Special Label 300x500".into(), (300.0, 500.0))]
+        } else {
+            vec![("Laser 350x550".into(), (350.0, 550.0))]
+        }
+    }));
+    h.state_mut().default_paper_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|printer: &str| if printer == "Label Printer" { Some(("Special Label 300x500".into(), (300.0, 500.0))) } else { None }));
+
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while (h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || h.state().print_draft.papers_loading.is_some()) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "Special Label 300x500");
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.paper_overridden);
+
+    // Switch printer via printer-change site: reset unoverridden custom paper and apply_printer_papers(Vec::new()) clears old papers immediately
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.printer = Some("Laser Printer".into());
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.reset_unoverridden_custom_paper();
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.apply_printer_papers(Vec::new());
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "US Letter");
+    assert!(
+        !h.state().print_draft.papers.iter().any(|(n, _)| n == "Special Label 300x500"),
+        "Custom label paper from previous printer cleared immediately"
+    );
+    assert!(h.state().print_draft.papers.iter().any(|(n, _)| n == "US Letter"), "Standard presets remain available");
+
+    // Explicit override is preserved
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.papers.push(("User Custom 400x600".into(), (400.0, 600.0)));
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.paper = h.state().print_draft.papers.len() - 1;
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.paper_overridden = true;
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.reset_unoverridden_custom_paper();
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "User Custom 400x600");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn printer_list_refresh_resets_unoverridden_custom_paper_when_default_printer_changes() {
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::spool;
+    use std::sync::Arc;
+
+    let mut h = harness();
+    let initial_printers = vec![
+        spool::Printer { name: "Label Printer".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() },
+        spool::Printer { name: "Laser Printer".into(), default: false, two_sided: None, description: String::new() },
+    ];
+    let updated_printers = vec![spool::Printer { name: "Laser Printer".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() }];
+    let calls = std::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize::new(0);
+    let initial_p = initial_printers.clone();
+    let updated_p = updated_printers.clone();
+    h.state_mut().printer_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(move || if calls.fetch_add(1, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::SeqCst) == 0 { initial_p.clone() } else { updated_p.clone() }));
+    h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(|printer: &str| {
+        if printer == "Label Printer" {
+            vec![("Special Label 300x500".into(), (300.0, 500.0))]
+        } else {
+            vec![("Laser 350x550".into(), (350.0, 550.0))]
+        }
+    }));
+    h.state_mut().default_paper_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|printer: &str| if printer == "Label Printer" { Some(("Special Label 300x500".into(), (300.0, 500.0))) } else { None }));
+
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while (h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || h.state().print_draft.papers_loading.is_some()) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "Special Label 300x500");
+
+    // Trigger background printer list refresh with the updated printers list (where Laser Printer is default)
+    h.state_mut().open_print();
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while (h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || h.state().print_draft.papers_loading.is_some()) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    // Laser Printer has no default paper, so paper should be a standard preset ("US Letter"), not Printer A's custom paper
+    assert_ne!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "Special Label 300x500");
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "US Letter");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn print_button_waits_for_automatic_paper_detection_before_submission() {
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::spool;
+    use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex, mpsc};
+
+    let mut h = harness();
+    let (release_tx, release_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let (started_tx, started_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let release_rx = Arc::new(Mutex::new(release_rx));
+    let started_tx = Arc::new(Mutex::new(started_tx));
+
+    h.state_mut().printer_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|| vec![spool::Printer { name: "Label 4x6 Printer".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() }]));
+    let rx_clone = Arc::clone(&release_rx);
+    let tx_clone = Arc::clone(&started_tx);
+    h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(move |_| {
+        let _ = tx_clone.lock().unwrap().send(());
+        let _ = rx_clone.lock().unwrap().recv();
+        vec![("Shipping Label 4x6".into(), (288.0, 432.0))]
+    }));
+    h.state_mut().default_paper_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| Some(("Shipping Label 4x6".into(), (288.0, 432.0)))));
+
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(5);
+    while h.state().print_draft.printers_loading && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    // Wait until background paper worker has reached the channel gate
+    let _ = started_rx.recv_timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(5));
+
+    // While background read is pending and paper is not manually overridden:
+    assert!(h.state().print_draft.papers_loading(), "papers_loading must be true while automatic detection is pending");
+    assert!(!h.state_mut().print_now(), "print_now must be refused while paper detection is pending");
+
+    // Overriding paper manually resolves the pending state and enables submission immediately
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.paper_overridden = true;
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.papers_loading(), "papers_loading becomes false once paper is overridden");
+    assert!(h.state_mut().print_now(), "print_now succeeds when user has chosen a paper");
+
+    // Unblock the worker so the thread finishes cleanly
+    let _ = release_tx.send(());
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn gated_paper_detection_enables_print_after_worker_finishes() {
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::spool;
+    use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex, mpsc};
+
+    let mut h = harness();
+    let (release_tx, release_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let (started_tx, started_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let release_rx = Arc::new(Mutex::new(release_rx));
+    let started_tx = Arc::new(Mutex::new(started_tx));
+
+    h.state_mut().printer_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|| vec![spool::Printer { name: "Label 4x6 Printer".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() }]));
+    let rx_clone = Arc::clone(&release_rx);
+    let tx_clone = Arc::clone(&started_tx);
+    h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(move |_| {
+        let _ = tx_clone.lock().unwrap().send(());
+        let _ = rx_clone.lock().unwrap().recv();
+        vec![("Shipping Label 4x6".into(), (288.0, 432.0))]
+    }));
+    h.state_mut().default_paper_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| Some(("Shipping Label 4x6".into(), (288.0, 432.0)))));
+
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(5);
+    while h.state().print_draft.printers_loading && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    let _ = started_rx.recv_timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(5));
+
+    assert!(h.state().print_draft.papers_loading());
+    assert!(!h.state_mut().print_now());
+
+    // Release the worker
+    let _ = release_tx.send(());
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while h.state().print_draft.papers_loading() && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.papers_loading());
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_size(), (288.0, 432.0));
+    assert!(h.state_mut().print_now());
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn gated_paper_detection_blocks_print_on_printer_switch_reuse_until_resolved() {
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::spool;
+    use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex, mpsc};
+
+    let mut h = harness();
+    let (release_a_tx, release_a_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let (started_a_tx, started_a_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let release_a_rx = Arc::new(Mutex::new(release_a_rx));
+    let started_a_tx = Arc::new(Mutex::new(started_a_tx));
+
+    let (release_b_tx, release_b_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let (started_b_tx, started_b_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let release_b_rx = Arc::new(Mutex::new(release_b_rx));
+    let started_b_tx = Arc::new(Mutex::new(started_b_tx));
+
+    h.state_mut().printer_source = Some(Arc::new(|| {
+        vec![
+            spool::Printer { name: "Printer A".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() },
+            spool::Printer { name: "Printer B".into(), default: false, two_sided: None, description: String::new() },
+        ]
+    }));
+
+    let rx_a = Arc::clone(&release_a_rx);
+    let tx_a = Arc::clone(&started_a_tx);
+    let rx_b = Arc::clone(&release_b_rx);
+    let tx_b = Arc::clone(&started_b_tx);
+    h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(move |p| {
+        if p == "Printer A" {
+            let _ = tx_a.lock().unwrap().send(());
+            let _ = rx_a.lock().unwrap().recv();
+            vec![("A-Paper 4x6".into(), (288.0, 432.0))]
+        } else {
+            let _ = tx_b.lock().unwrap().send(());
+            let _ = rx_b.lock().unwrap().recv();
+            vec![("B-Paper 5x7".into(), (360.0, 504.0))]
+        }
+    }));
+    h.state_mut().default_paper_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(
+            |p| {
+                if p == "Printer A" { Some(("A-Paper 4x6".into(), (288.0, 432.0))) } else { Some(("B-Paper 5x7".into(), (360.0, 504.0))) }
+            },
+        ));
+
+    // 1. Open print dialog: Printer A is default and starts reading papers
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(5);
+    while h.state().print_draft.printers_loading && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    let _ = started_a_rx.recv_timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(5));
+    assert!(h.state().print_draft.papers_loading());
+    assert!(!h.state_mut().print_now());
+
+    // 2. Switch to Printer B
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.printer = Some("Printer B".into());
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.read_papers_for = Some("Printer B".into());
+    h.run_steps(1);
+    let _ = started_b_rx.recv_timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(5));
+    assert!(h.state().print_draft.papers_loading());
+    assert!(!h.state_mut().print_now());
+
+    // 3. Switch back to Printer A (A's read is still in flight, reusing worker)
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.printer = Some("Printer A".into());
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.read_papers_for = Some("Printer A".into());
+    h.run_steps(1);
+
+    // Guard must still hold for Printer A
+    assert!(h.state().print_draft.papers_loading(), "papers_loading must be restored for Printer A when reusing its worker");
+    assert!(!h.state_mut().print_now(), "print_now must be refused while Printer A's read is still pending after switch back");
+
+    // 4. Release Printer A's read
+    let _ = release_a_tx.send(());
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while h.state().print_draft.papers_loading() && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.papers_loading());
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_size(), (288.0, 432.0));
+    assert!(h.state_mut().print_now());
+
+    // Clean up Printer B worker
+    let _ = release_b_tx.send(());
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn restored_paper_keeps_preview_and_saved_sheet_dimensions() {
     use pdfcraft_engine::print::{self, PAPERS};
     let a4 = PAPERS.iter().find(|(name, _)| *name == "A4").unwrap().1;
-    let mut h = harness_with_settings(Some(r#"{"print_paper":"A4"}"#.into()));
+    let mut h = harness_with_settings(Some(r#"{"print_paper":"A4","print_paper_overridden":true}"#.into()));
     assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
     h.run_steps(3);
     h.get_by_value("A4");
@@ -1114,15 +1534,78 @@ fn restored_paper_keeps_preview_and_saved_sheet_dimensions() {
 fn settle(h: &mut Harness<'static, PdfCraftApp>) {
     for _ in 0..500 {
         h.run_steps(1);
-        if !h.state().print_draft.printers_loading {
+        if !h.state().print_draft.printers_loading && !h.state().print_draft.papers_loading() {
             break;
         }
         std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(2));
     }
     assert!(!h.state().print_draft.printers_loading, "the printer list loaded");
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.papers_loading(), "the printer papers loaded");
     h.run_steps(8);
 }
 
+/// A paper explicitly added while discovery is pending stays selected after its reply and reopen.
+#[test]
+fn adding_custom_paper_overrides_pending_driver_default() {
+    use pdfcraft_engine::print::spool::Printer;
+    use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex, mpsc};
+    let mut h = harness();
+    let (release_tx, release_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let (started_tx, started_rx) = mpsc::channel();
+    let first_read = Arc::new(Mutex::new(Some(release_rx)));
+    h.state_mut().printer_source =
+        Some(Arc::new(|| vec![Printer { name: "Labeller".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() }]));
+    h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(move |_| {
+        let pending = first_read.lock().unwrap().take();
+        if let Some(rx) = pending {
+            let _ = started_tx.send(());
+            let _ = rx.recv();
+        }
+        vec![("Driver label".into(), (288.0, 432.0))]
+    }));
+    h.state_mut().default_paper_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| Some(("Driver label".into(), (288.0, 432.0)))));
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    loop {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        if started_rx.try_recv().is_ok() {
+            break;
+        }
+        assert!(std::time::Instant::now() < deadline, "paper discovery started");
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    h.get_by_label("Custom…").click();
+    h.run_steps(2);
+    let units = h.state().print_draft.units.per_point();
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.custom_new = Some(("Card".into(), format!("{}", 300.0 * units), format!("{}", 500.0 * units)));
+    h.run_steps(2);
+    h.get_by_label("Add").click();
+    h.run_steps(2);
+    assert!(h.state().print_draft.paper_overridden, "Add is an explicit paper choice");
+    assert!(!h.state().print_draft.papers_loading(), "the explicit choice need not wait for detection");
+    release_tx.send(()).unwrap();
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while h.state().print_draft.papers_loading.is_some() {
+        assert!(std::time::Instant::now() < deadline, "paper discovery completed");
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "Card");
+    let (w, h_pts) = h.state().print_draft.paper_size();
+    assert!((w - 300.0).abs() < 0.01 && (h_pts - 500.0).abs() < 0.01);
+    h.state_mut().open_print();
+    settle(&mut h);
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "Card", "reopening keeps the explicit choice");
+}
+
+/// A name entered by the user is not a keyword from the printer's media catalog.
+#[test]
+fn a_named_custom_paper_requests_its_dimensions_from_the_spooler() {
+    let mut d = pdfcraft_ui_egui::PrintDraft::default();
+    d.add_custom_paper(serde_json::from_value(serde_json::json!({"name": "Card", "width": 300.0, "height": 500.0})).unwrap());
+    assert_eq!(d.job("card.pdf").options, [("media".to_string(), "Custom.300x500".to_string())]);
+}
+
 /// Page setup: a paper size of one's own joins the Paper list (Custom…) and prints at its size.
 /// The printer it was printed on keeps it (#2001) by name, across a restart, and Remove takes it
 /// off the list; the printer's setup then leaves the paper as it is.
@@ -1134,6 +1617,8 @@ fn a_custom_paper_prints_at_its_size_and_its_printer_keeps_it() {
     let attach = |h: &mut Harness<'static, PdfCraftApp>| {
         h.state_mut().printer_source =
             Some(Arc::new(|| vec![Printer { name: "Labeller".into(), default: true, two_sided: None, description: String::new() }]));
+        h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| Vec::new()));
+        h.state_mut().default_paper_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| None));
         let sent = sent.clone();
         h.state_mut().spooler = Some(Arc::new(move |pdf: &[u8], _job: &Job| {
             sent.lock().unwrap().push(pdf.to_vec());
@@ -1160,6 +1645,11 @@ fn a_custom_paper_prints_at_its_size_and_its_printer_keeps_it() {
         assert!((w - 288.0).abs() < 0.01 && (l - 432.0).abs() < 0.01, "portrait: {w}×{l}");
     }
     // The custom row has closed: let the dialog settle at its new height before clicking.
+    let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+    while h.state().print_draft.papers_loading() && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        h.run_steps(1);
+        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+    }
     h.run_steps(8);
     h.get_by(|n| n.label().as_deref() == Some("Print") && n.role() == Role::Button).click();
     for _ in 0..400 {
@@ -1252,6 +1742,48 @@ fn a_booklet_decides_two_sided_itself() {
     assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.job("x").duplex, Some(Duplex::LongEdge), "back to the choice");
 }
 
+/// #5861: The print dialog supports all papers detected from the printer driver, matches custom
+/// page sizes against them, and imposes on the chosen dimensions.
+#[test]
+fn printer_papers_and_properties_selection() {
+    let mut h = harness();
+    assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
+    h.run_steps(3);
+
+    // Initial state offers standard PAPERS.
+    assert!(h.state().print_draft.papers.len() >= 21);
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "US Letter");
+
+    // When the driver offers additional custom papers, they are available in d.papers.
+    let custom_paper = ("Custom 333x444".to_string(), (333.0, 444.0));
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.papers.push(custom_paper.clone());
+    let custom_index = h.state().print_draft.papers.len() - 1;
+
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.paper = custom_index;
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "Custom 333x444");
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_size(), (333.0, 444.0));
+
+    // Matching page at 100% finds the custom paper
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.matching_paper((333.0, 444.0)), Some(custom_index));
+
+    // Imposed settings use the exact dimensions of the detected paper
+    let settings = h.state().print_draft.settings(1, &["1".into()]).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(settings.paper, (333.0, 444.0));
+
+    // Page Setup button is present in the dialog
+    h.get_by_label("Page Setup…");
+
+    // Applying driver paper adapts paper selection and orientation
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.apply_driver_paper("4 x 6 in label (101.6 x 152.4 mm)".into(), (288.0, 432.0));
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper, pdfcraft_engine::print::LABEL_PAPER);
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.orientation, pdfcraft_engine::print::Orientation::Portrait);
+
+    // Landscape driver media adapts orientation to Landscape
+    h.state_mut().print_draft.apply_driver_paper("Landscape Custom".into(), (500.0, 300.0));
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.orientation, pdfcraft_engine::print::Orientation::Landscape);
+    assert_eq!(h.state().print_draft.paper_name(), "Landscape Custom");
+}
+
 /// Creep the field allows can still move a thick booklet's innermost pages too far; the preview
 /// says to reduce it rather than showing no sheets without a reason (#6777).
 #[test]
@@ -1402,6 +1934,8 @@ fn each_printer_keeps_what_it_last_printed_with_across_a_restart() {
                 .map(|name| Printer { name: name.into(), default: name == "Office", two_sided: None, description: String::new() })
                 .collect()
         }));
+        h.state_mut().printer_papers_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| Vec::new()));
+        h.state_mut().default_paper_source = Some(Arc::new(|_| None));
         let sent = jobs.clone();
         h.state_mut().spooler = Some(Arc::new(move |_pdf: &[u8], job: &Job| {
             sent.lock().unwrap().push(job.clone());
@@ -1412,15 +1946,22 @@ fn each_printer_keeps_what_it_last_printed_with_across_a_restart() {
         h.state_mut().dialog = None;
         assert!(h.state_mut().execute("print.dialog"));
         let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
-        while h.state().print_draft.printers_loading && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+        while (h.state().print_draft.printers_loading || h.state().print_draft.papers_loading()) && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
             h.run_steps(1);
             std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
         }
         assert!(!h.state().print_draft.printers_loading);
+        assert!(!h.state().print_draft.papers_loading());
         h.run_steps(2);
     };
     let print = |h: &mut Harness<'static, PdfCraftApp>| -> Job {
         let before = jobs.lock().unwrap().len();
+        let deadline = std::time::Instant::now() + std::time::Duration::from_secs(10);
+        while h.state().print_draft.papers_loading() && std::time::Instant::now() < deadline {
+            h.run_steps(1);
+            std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(5));
+        }
+        h.run_steps(2);
         h.get_by(|n| n.label().as_deref() == Some("Print") && n.role() == Role::Button).click();
         for _ in 0..400 {
             h.run_steps(1);
diff --git a/parity/acrobat-features.toml b/parity/acrobat-features.toml
index 4587e91425..342d0bba8c 100644
--- a/parity/acrobat-features.toml
+++ b/parity/acrobat-features.toml
@@ -8404,9 +8404,20 @@ tier = "P1"
 milestone = "M10"
 status = "partial"
 commands = ["print.dialog"]
-tools = ["doc_print"]
-evidence = ["crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print.rs::a_custom_paper_prints_at_its_size_and_its_printer_keeps_it", "crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_paper.rs::the_paper_list_is_the_standard_sizes_then_the_custom_ones", "crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_paper.rs::settings_are_read_as_untrusted", "crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/setups.rs::setups_round_trip_through_the_settings_file", "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print_custom_paper_names.rs::a_custom_paper_cannot_take_a_standard_name", "crates/automation/tests/it/automation.rs::doc_print_takes_a_paper_size_of_its_own"]
-notes = "In the Print dialog, as the rest of printing is (no separate Page Setup window): Custom… beside Paper adds a named size in the preferences' unit (1 to 200 inches a side), kept with the settings and removable. A printer printed to on a custom paper starts on it next time, with the rest of its setup (#2001), the paper kept by name. doc_print takes sizes such as 8.5x14in or 210x297mm. Missing: margins."
+tools = ["doc_print", "printer_papers"]
+evidence = [
+    "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print.rs::printer_papers_and_properties_selection",
+    "crates/automation/tests/it/automation.rs::printer_papers_through_tools",
+    "crates/print/src/tests.rs::printer_papers_and_default_paper_api",
+    "crates/print/src/tests.rs::overlapping_paper_discovery_two_sided_and_queue_queries",
+    "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print.rs::a_custom_paper_prints_at_its_size_and_its_printer_keeps_it",
+    "crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_paper.rs::the_paper_list_is_the_standard_sizes_then_the_custom_ones",
+    "crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_paper.rs::settings_are_read_as_untrusted",
+    "crates/ui-egui/src/workflows/print_ui/setups.rs::setups_round_trip_through_the_settings_file",
+    "crates/ui-egui/tests/it/print_custom_paper_names.rs::a_custom_paper_cannot_take_a_standard_name",
+    "crates/automation/tests/it/automation.rs::doc_print_takes_a_paper_size_of_its_own",
+]
+notes = "In the Print dialog: Custom… beside Paper adds a named size in the preferences' unit (1 to 200 inches a side), kept with the settings and removable. A printer printed to on a custom paper starts on it next time (#2001). The Page Setup button opens the driver's page setup to choose paper size and orientation. printer_papers enumerates driver-reported papers and default paper headlessly. doc_print takes sizes such as 8.5x14in or 210x297mm or driver papers. Missing: margins."
 
 [[feature]]
 id = "print.print-ready-pdf"