How to Print Double-Sided on Your Home Printer

Last Updated on August 14, 2023 by Christian Ralph

Printing double-sided saves on paper costs and is better for the environment. Here’s our step-by-step guide to double-sided printing, and how you can print double-sided on your home printer:

How Does it Work?

Many multifunction printers incorporate a duplexing unit which will reverse the sheet of paper after the first side has been printed to continue printing on to the second side. In many units, this is combined with a Reversing Automatic Document Feeder which accommodates double-sided scanning.

Higher volume printers may incorporate two simultaneous print engines so both sides of the sheet can be printed on at the same time.

Turning On Double-Sided Printing

If you want to halve the number of sheets you are using, there are a couple of ways to print double-sided. If your printer supports double-sided printing, the option will appear in the printing menu after you click Print.

After clicking Print, review the options on the tabs. If there is an option called Duplex Printing, Two-Sided Printing or Double Printing, check the box and proceed to print.

Some printers do not support double sided printing but can help you perform the task. If you cannot find any double sided options, click on the Only Print Odd Pages option and this will print only pages 1, 3, 5, etc. Then feed the printed sheets back into the printer with the print face down. Press Print and click the Only Print Even Pages option and the rest of the pages will print on the reverse of the sheets.

This process can be repeated if you have a Mac by opening the Copies and Pages dropdown, clicking the arrow and choosing Paper Handling. Open the Pages to Print dropdown, select Odd Only. Then repeat the process, selecting Even Only.

For more information and help getting the most out of your printer call our expert sales team on 0800 840 1992, or take a look at our full range of printers and related products.