Printing on both sides of the paper saves sheets and makes documents thinner and easier to file. Most printers support it either automatically or with a simple manual flip, and you turn it on in the print dialog.
What you'll need
- A printer
- A computer or phone with the document
Step by step
- Open the print dialogOpen your document and press Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on a Mac to bring up the print settings.
- Find the two-sided optionLook for a setting called Print on Both Sides, Two-Sided, or Duplex. It may be under a Layout or Finishing section depending on your printer.
- Choose the binding edgeSelect flip on long edge for standard book-style pages, or flip on short edge for pages that turn like a notepad.
- Print manually if there is no duplex optionIf your printer lacks automatic two-sided printing, choose to print odd pages first, then reload those sheets and print the even pages on the blank side.
- Do a test pagePrint one or two pages first to confirm the orientation is right before committing a long document.
Handy tips
- If manual duplex misprints, note which way you reload the paper on your printer, since brands feed and flip differently.
- Check the paper tray is loaded straight so both sides line up cleanly.
- For a booklet, look for a Booklet layout option that also handles the page order for folding.
FAQ
How do I know if my printer supports automatic double-sided printing?
Check the print dialog for a Two-Sided or Duplex option, or look up your printer model. If it only offers single-sided, you can still print both sides manually.
What is the difference between long edge and short edge?
Long edge binds along the tall side like a book, so pages read normally when flipped left to right. Short edge binds along the top like a calendar or notepad.
The back pages printed upside down. How do I fix it?
Switch between long edge and short edge in the print settings, or change how you reload the paper for manual printing, then print a test page.