How to Print Double-Sided

If you wish to save paper and reduce clutter, nothing works better than double-sided printing, also known as duplex printing. Luckily, double-sided printing can be done automatically with modern printers to give your documents a more professional look. But if your printer doesn’t support automatic duplex printing, no worries — achieving the same results is still possible manually. 

In this guide, we’ll explore how to print double-sided on both Windows and Mac computers so you can get started today. Let’s begin! 

Initial Steps for Duplex Printing

Paper waste makes up 26% of all landfills. This calls for sustainable printing, and there’s no better way to achieve that than by cutting down the number of papers you print. 

To set up double-sided printing as default, head to “printer preferences” in your control panel. Look for an option like “double-sided print” and enable it. Check your printer manual or manufacturer to see whether your printer supports double-sided printing. If your printer doesn’t automatically support duplex printing, reinsert pages to do it manually. 

How to Print Double-Sided on Windows 

Once you’ve figured out if your printer supports duplex printing automatically, it’s time to follow the steps to achieve the desired results. If you don’t have Word, checking out your printer’s manual will suffice. In the case of multiple printers, one might support automatic printing while the other might require manually reinserting the pages. 

For PC, follow the following steps to print double-sided: 

1. Plug in the printer’s USB cable with your computer and double-check to confirm your printer’s name is listed under the “Printing” head at the top. 
2. To switch printers, click on the printer’s name and choose your desired printer from the drop-down menu. 
3. On Windows 10 or 11, open the start menu and head to the “control panel.” 
4. Go to “Devices and Printers” to see the list of printers available. 
5. Right-click on your desired printers and select “printing preferences.” 
6. In the “Printing Preferences” window, look for “Print on Both Sides” and select the automatic option. On some PCs, you might need to click “Advanced” features to find the double-sided printing option. 
7. Finally, click “Apply” to set this as your default setting, and click on “Print” to start printing your document on both sides! 

How to Print Double-Sided on Mac  

To print double-sided from your Mac, follow these simple steps to get the job done: 

1. Click “File” in the software you’re using (e.g., Word) at the top left corner. Then, click “print” from the drop-down menu. 
2. Make sure your Mac is connected to your printer wirelessly via AirPrint or through a USB cable. 
3. Once you’ve chosen the correct printer from the drop-down menu, look for a checkbox labeled “Two-Sided” and enable it to print both sides of your document. Sometimes, you might need to click “Layout” to enable this setting. 
4. When using Word, choose “Long-Edge Binding (portrait)” or “Short-Edge Binding (landscape)” for most duplex printing needs. 
5. Click “Print” and you’re set to print your document on both sides of the paper without compromising the print quality. 

Printing Double-Sided Manually 

Now that you know how to print double-sided automatically, what if your printer doesn’t support automatic duplex printing? Good news — you’ve got a couple of easy alternatives to handle the job manually. Start by printing one side of your documents. Once that’s done, take the printer pages, flip them over, and reload them into the printer. 

In Microsoft Word, here’s how to print your two-sided document easily: 

1. Click on “File” on the top left corner of the menu bar, and select “Print.” 
2. Go to “Settings” and choose “Print One Sided,” then select “Manually Print on Both Sides.” 

Final Thoughts 

All in all, the answer to “how to print double-sided” is pretty straightforward, whether it’s automatic or manual. By setting up your printer preferences correctly or using manual methods, you can print on both sides of the document – potentially saving hundreds of papers from going to the trash! 

For more advice on printing techniques, check out the PaperPapers blog, which has it all for you!