I recently migrated from Office 2012 ti 2021. I was able to create and print envelopes on my HP printer on Word 2012. I had to select a different orientation from the default (right side, vertical) due to my printguides enforce paper centering. in 2012 i selected horizonal centered, however any change I tried always forced the printer back to the default. Is this a know issue? how can I get envelopes printed in Office 2021?

AFAIK, there was Word 2010 and Word 2013. No Word 2012.
However, the versions have handled envelopes the same way since Word 2007, at least.

See Change Envelope Layout by Graham Mayor, MVP

If you wish, create and save an envelope that will not work for you as a document and attach it to a post here.
Attach a Sample File Demonstrating the Problem - Here's How