What is Duplex Printing?

Updated: Feb 11, 2024 4:56 PM
duplex printing guide

Duplex, or double-sided printing, is a printing technique that allows the printer to print on both sides of the paper. Many of the top-rated printers support the feature, and it is a great way to save on paper usage.

Let’s face it, office supplies are not getting any cheaper, and depending on the size of your company and consumption, you can find yourself spending more each year on paper.

If you are looking to save on paper, converting to an automatic duplex printing method could be beneficial.

Key Takeaways_

  • Printers with an auto-duplex printing feature allow users to print double-sided documents by default.
  • Duplex printing is an effective way to trim office supplies costs. Printing your pages double-sided halves your paper expenses.
  • There are two ways to set auto duplex printing; through the printer’s display menu setting or through printer options on your computer.

What does Automatic Duplex Printing Mean?

Essentially, printers with an auto-duplex printing feature will allow users to print double-sided documents by default. However, depending on the model of the printer, users can set the auto duplex printing on the device menu screen or through printer settings on the computer.

Duplex printing can effectively halve your total paper usage.

Auto duplex printing is quite simple, and once the initial settings are complete, it doesn’t require as much effort or time as you manual duplex printing. Simply input the option from the print options menu, and print away.

And, if you know the printer port you should use for wireless, you’ll be able to print without using any cables. That is, so long as you’ve correctly set the password on your printer. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use it effectively.

Why Duplex Printing?

Many individuals and businesses are looking for ways to cut costs. Duplex printing is an effective way to trim office supplies costs.

  • Saves paper and cost: Duplex printing will use less paper than single printing, especially if you frequently print. Printing on both sides uses less paper than printing on one.
  • Environmentally approved: Since duplex printing uses less paper, less paper needs recycling, and ultimately more trees get saved, which is good for the environment.
  • Auto duplex printing saves time: Manually flipping the pages while printing can be time-consuming, especially for bulk documents. This can take up significant time that can be used for other tasks, reducing efficiency and productivity. Auto duplex printing doesn’t require any user effort and prints a sizable amount of paper in a fraction of the time that would have otherwise gone into flipping pages.

Setting up Auto Duplex Printing

Setting your printer to print double-sided is relatively easy. There are two ways to go about it. Through the printer’s display menu setting or printer options on your computer. It’s essential to note that all printer makes and models are different, and procedures might vary.

  1. To set up duplex printing through the on-screen printer menu, find “General Settings” on the printer menu.
  2. Find the printer’s default setting. Once you have selected your printer’s default settings, it should always print double-sided until you alter the settings.

To set duplex printing through printer options on your computer, you need to find similar options on your computer. Find “Control Panel,” then select “Printers.” Open the “Printer Preferences” drop-down menu. Open “Advanced Settings,” select the duplex printing option, and hit “Save.”

F.A.Q.

What is auto duplex printing?

It’s also known as double-sided printing or printing on both sides of a paper. You don’t require to put in any effort or time like you would flip pages in manual duplex printing. Simply input the option from the print options menu, and print away.


How do I find out if my printer model has auto duplex printing?

Check your owner’s manual or product description for this information. If you are out in the market for an auto-duplex printer, look for printers with auto-duplex printing capabilities.


How do I set up auto duplex printing?

Setting your printer to print double-sided is relatively easy. There are two ways to go about it. Through the printer display screen setting or through printer options on your computer.


Why is auto duplex printing beneficial?

Duplex printing is an effective way to trim office supplies costs. Printing your pages double-sided halves your paper expenses. It also saves time since the process is effortless, and user input is not required.


Alexis Labadie Avatar

Learn More About Printers