[mkraft]

Try adding an extra, blank line after your last typed one, then close
footer.

Yes I've tried that. Usually that does work, but it also drives the footer
up the page (more than I like). Even tightening the 'line spacing' for the
blank line doesn't change that much.

I guess this may be a inconsistency in Word's own calculations of spacing in
the footer. I've noticed similar variations in the relative position of two
different tables on the front and back of the same page -- i.e., their
horizontal positions relative to one another change slightly from one print
job to the next.

Or possibly the printers I'm printing on are out of adjustment. However, I
haven't noticed anything else happening that would suggest that.