What is Duplex Printing? How To Print On Both Sides of the Paper

How do you print on both sides of the paper with a printer? 

Duplex printing, or double-sided printing, is something many people use with their printers and copiers. It can help you save paper and money! 

But figuring out how to do it can be tricky sometimes. There are two main ways to duplex print, and which method you choose may depend on your needs and goals. 

We’ve been a trusted local printer company in Texas since the 1980s, with a team that has over 200 years of combined experience in the industry. 

In this article, we’ll break down what duplex printing is, the different types, how to do it, and the benefits of printing on both sides of the paper. 
Printing on both sides of the page can look a little different based on your machine. Since we work closely with Xerox, we’ll share steps specifically for using a Xerox printer. 

But don’t worry! The steps for duplex printing will be pretty similar no matter what printer you have. 

What Is Duplex Printing? 

As mentioned in the introduction, duplex printing, or double-sided printing, is the action of printing contents on both sides of the paper. 

It differs from simplex printing, or single-sided printing, which is where you print on only one side of the paper. 

How Does it Work?

The process is simple. There are two methods of duplex printing: Automatic duplex printing and manual duplex printing. Let’s look at the differences between the two in the next section. 

Auto Duplex Printing

What is automatic duplex printing? Auto duplex printing is exactly what it sounds like: It’s a feature that lets your printer automatically print on both sides of the paper. If your printer supports it, you can just turn it on without needing to manually intervene after it’s set up. This makes printing quicker and easier, especially when you have a lot to print.

Most modern printers have this ability, but it’s a good idea to check if yours does. A component called the duplexer is what lets the printer flip the paper and print on the other side easily.

Most Xerox machines, including the VersaLink and AltaLink families, as well as their digital and inkjet presses, are auto duplex printers.

Manual Duplex Printing

Unlike automatic duplex printing, manual duplex printing requires a little more effort. With manual duplex, you have to flip the paper yourself and put it back in the printer to print on the other side. While both methods achieve the same result, manual duplex printing involves an extra step for the user. 

Here’s How to Set Up Auto Duplex Print

As we mentioned earlier, we’ll use Xerox machines as an example for duplex printing. However, most printer brands offer duplex printers, and the steps to print on both sides are usually quite similar to those of Xerox. It's easy to get started, no matter the brand.

You will be able to set up auto duplex printing from the printer settings on your computer (i.e., Mac or Windows) or from your printer’s user interface. Below are the steps to set up auto duplex print via your computer.

1. To start auto duplex printing, you first need to open up the document you want to print.
2. Then, click on “File” and select the “Print” option to see your print settings/options
3. Find the “2-sided printing” or similar option, and click on it.  
4. If you want your printer to duplex print by default, access your printer properties/preferences from your computer and select the double-sided printing option.
5. Click ‘OK’ to save your settings and hit ‘Print’ to begin duplex printing.

Here's an example of the printer properties options on a computer.

Remember that the steps might look a bit different depending on whether you have a PC or Mac, as well as the type of printer you’re using.

The process to set up auto 2-sided printing from your printer is similar. Find your printer’s menu or settings and look for the double-sided printing option. Make sure to check your printer’s manual for exact steps.

Here’s How To Set up Manual Duplex Print

If your machine is older or doesn’t automatically print double-sided, you can still do it manually. On a printer that supports manual duplex printing, you can print one page, turn the paper over, and put it back in the paper tray or bypass once your printer prompts you.

For specific instructions, check your machine’s user manual.

Pro Tip: Make sure to put the printed page by itself and not on other paper in the tray if using manual duplex printing, as this can lead to paper jams. 

Manual duplex printing can get tricky because you need to know which way the paper is feeding into your printer, and your pages could end up either printed on the same side of the page or upside down. 

If your team often uses double-sided printing, it’s a good idea to invest in an automatic duplex printer. This way, you won't have to flip the pages manually every time.

Keep in mind that duplex printing isn’t possible with all types of paper, especially heavier cardstock. If you’re not sure which paper can be printed on both sides, check your printer’s specifications to find the right options.  

What Are the Benefits of Duplex Printing? 

There’s a multitude of benefits to printing on both sides of the paper, including: 

• Reduce paper waste. 
• Lowers your paper and ink costs 
• Easier to manage your documents since less paper is being used 
• Using less paper means less environmental footprint

The greatest benefit of duplex printing is the cost savings. This is especially true since the operating costs can really add up over time depending on how much you use your printer.

Using both sides of the paper can also help the environment. A study by Arizona State University in 2011found that by switching to duplex printing, they saved over 725 trees.

There aren’t many downsides to duplex printing. The biggest one is that you need a printer that supports it. Many manufacturers place a “D” in the model number, which indicates it can print on both sides. For instance, the Xerox VersaLink C415DN and Canon imageClass MF452dw are popular options that do this well.  

Need a Printer for Duplex Printing? 

Printing on both sides of the paper is one of the most fundamental tasks you can do on your printer. The current number of options available on the market is vast. 

Most printer brands will sell machines with automatic duplex printing, or at the very least, you will be able to print double-sided manually.  

Now, how do you find the right duplex printer for you? 

There’s a lot to consider and so many machines to look at. You need to consider, among other things: 

• Your current monthly print volume  
• The number of employees that will be using the machine 
• The accessories and finishers you need to include upon purchase 
• The space you need for the machine to operate optimally 

For additional informtion on finding the right printer, download our free Guide to Purchasing or Leasing a Printer for Your Business.  This comprehensive guide details how to get your ideal machine the first time. 

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