Method 1: Automatic Duplex Printing

  1. 1

    Open the print dialog (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P)

    Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) in any application, or go to File → Print.

  2. 2

    Find the Two-Sided option

    Look for: Two-Sided, Duplex Printing, Print on Both Sides, or Double-Sided. Location varies: it may be directly in the main print dialog, under Properties/Preferences, or under Layout or Finishing. If you do not see it, your printer may not support automatic duplex — proceed to Method 2.

  3. 3

    Choose binding edge

    You will usually be asked whether to flip on the long edge (standard for portrait documents) or short edge (for landscape/booklet). Long edge binding is the standard for most documents.

Method 2: Manual Double-Sided (Any Printer)

  1. 4

    Print odd pages first

    In the print dialog, look for Page Range or Pages and enter odd pages: 1, 3, 5 — or look for an “Odd pages only” option. Print this set.

  2. 5

    Flip the stack and print even pages

    Take the printed stack, flip it, and reload into the paper tray. The correct orientation depends on your printer — you may need to experiment once to get the flipping right. Then print even pages (2, 4, 6...). The result is a double-sided document.

Double-Sided Printing in Specific Applications

  • Word (Windows): File → Print → Print One Sided dropdown → Print on Both Sides
  • Word (Mac): File → Print → Layout in the dropdown → Two-Sided
  • Chrome/browser: Ctrl+P → More settings → Two-sided
  • PDF (Adobe Reader): File → Print → Properties → Layout → Two-sided
Not seeing a duplex option?Your printer may support duplex but need the feature enabled in driver settings. Search “[your printer model] enable duplex printing” for specific instructions. Some printers show duplex only after clicking “Printer Properties” or “Advanced” in the print dialog rather than in the main view.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Word or Publisher: File → Print → look for Booklet or Book Fold under Pages. This automatically reorders pages for folding into a booklet. In Adobe Acrobat: Print → Page Sizing → Booklet. The printer must support duplex, or you print one side, reinsert, and print the other. A 16-page booklet prints on 4 sheets of paper folded in half.
You are flipping on the wrong edge. In the duplex settings, switch between “flip on long edge” and “flip on short edge.” For standard portrait documents, long edge is correct. If using manual double-sided printing, flip the paper in the opposite direction to how you currently are.