What is Duplex Printing and how bad is it for my printer?
If you turn the paper over after the first side has been printed, you can use duplex printing to print on both sides.The model will need to have built-in functions to duplex print.Simplex printing only allows for printing on one side of the paper.
The computer will tell the printer to use both sides of the page if you choose to do so in the dialogue box.
Once one side has been printed, the paper will feed back into the printer and be printed on the other side of the page.duplex printing allows you to save paper and help the environment by using both sides of the page.
You will need a printer with duplex function.If the model number has a D at the end, your printer will usually have it.The number is 2600DN.The availability and setup of duplex printing can be vastly different between printers.
Hopefully this guide will show you how to use duplex printing to benefit your business.
Depending on your printer, you can choose between manual and auto duplex printing.The automatic version is much simpler to use and doesn't require any additional effort once set up, whereas manual duplex printing does require a bit of extra work by turning the page over yourself, which can be worthwhile for the cost savings.
The name suggests that models with an option for auto duplex printing will allow you to print out both sides of your document at the same time.
It is possible to setup auto duplex printing from the printer settings via the computer or the menu screen on the actual printer.Automatic duplex printing can be set up using both methods.This will likely be slightly different for your specific make/model of printer, but it should help guide you through the process.
There is a section on your printer menu that will allow you to either change the eco settings or the general settings.
You can change the default settings for double sided printing within one of the menus.
If you change the settings on your printer, it will be set up in automatic duplex mode so that all of the documents you send to the printer will print double-sided.
Changing the wrong settings could lead to unexpected results, so it's important to consult your printer documentation when updating this.
Once you know where to find the relevant settings, setting up automatic duplex printing from your computer is very similar.If you're using a Windows operating system, navigate to the Control Panel, then to View Devices and Printer page, and you should see something like the image below.
To open the settings where you can alter the default printing settings, you will need to right click on your printer.
To change the printing defaults, you have to find the settings.The settings are usually found under the Advanced tab.
You can change the settings by clicking on the printing default button.There is a section within the printing defaults menu that shows you what features and settings are available for you to change.If your printer supports auto duplex printing, you should see an option for this.
To keep the changes you have made, make sure you click OK or save.You can now set your printer to automatically print both sides.Unless you change these settings, they will be used by default from now on.
Changing the print settings within the application you are using would be recommended if you only want to print double-sided.
You may not be able to use automatic duplex printing on your printer.This isn't labelled as such, but there is an option for manual duplex printing.Double sided printing is achieved by manual duplex printing.Once prompted, you have to turn the paper over.
Manual duplex printing is the same process as outlined above and is contained within the printer settings.Manual duplex printing requires more creativity than other models.The printer will usually prompt you when you need to reinsert the paper if it is capable of manual duplex printing.
Businesses still want to reduce costs and print double-sided, despite the fact that there isn't an option for duplex printing on older printers.When printing from Microsoft Word, there is an option to only print odd or even pages, which can be seen in the printing settings.
Once they have finished printing, you can simply turn over the paper that has just been printed, insert it into the printer, and then print the odd pages on the other side.
You and anyone else using the printer knows which way to put the paper back into the machine so that you don't end up with printouts that are the wrong way up.
If you only want to do this once or on an occasional basis, what about changing your printer to default to double sided?There is a solution to this.
When you click on the print button, there is usually an option to change the printer properties for the only print you want to make.Clicking on this will bring up a menu that allows you to tell the printer to only print on one side of the document.
Depending on the printer, duplex printing can be enabled for printing the document you are working on.
The majority of manufacturers have a model with duplex printing enabled.To find out which printers have duplex printing capabilities, you can look at the model number of the printer.At first glance, the model numbers may seem arbitrary, but there is information within.The printer is capable of duplex printing if the D is within all model numbers.
The difference is that the Canon doesn't contain the D within the model name, which can be deceptive, but the Lexmark is capable of duplex printing.
Over time, using auto duplex printing can save you money depending on the amount of printing you do.The table below shows how much you could save if you switched to automatic duplex printing.
If you use duplex printing, at least you can save some money on your paper costs.One study found that Arizona State University saved 725 trees when they switched to duplex printing.
Hopefully this will clarify some of the questions you may have had about duplex printing.We want to hear from you about how duplex printing has worked for you, so please leave a comment below.
We recommend auto duplex if you are looking for a printer with duplex capability.The easiest way to know if a printer has this function is if the model number has a D at the end.
If you want to find a duplex printer, you can use the printer finder that we have created.
I have been working in the printing industry for over a decade and am the resident technical printer expert.I have a passion for helping people fix their printer issues and I am the Digital Marketing Manager at TonerGiant.co.uk.I like gadgets and technology.
I want to know if any company has a laser printer with simultaneous two side printing.Neither of my HP laser printers will auto-duplex print that size.After the first side prints, I have to put the paper back in.
We sell printers that have auto-duplex, but I can't find any that do it on a single pass.You wouldn't need to re-feed the paper back in yourself if auto was used.I am not sure if they would work on all sizes of paper as duplex only works on A4 only.
Thank you for sharing this informative post, it is very helpful for me.
Would they print to A5 instance from a duplex printer?I like to run off a book before I publish it.Is a duplex able to achieve this or are page numbers limited?Thanks.
It depends on the model of printer, some can print in A5 and some cannot.I think this is possible if the printer can print in A5 and have auto duplex capability.
I tried to make a two-sided printing, front page was printed in a order of top to bottom, but the backside page wasn't getting printed the same way it turned up side down, so tried with many option as trial and error, hope you can find a solution.