To print double-sided, or front and back, you need a Microsoft Word document that is two pages or more. While each printer differs slightly, the steps below walk you through the basic process to set up your printer for double-sided printing.
Printing on both sides of the page, known as duplex printing, allows you to save paper when creating Word documents. While many modern printers support automatic double-sided printing you can also manually print on both sides with a printer that only supports one-sided printing.
Follow these steps to configure double-sided printing in Microsoft Word on Windows or Mac
Enable Double-Sided Printing in Word
To print double-sided pages in Word you first need to enable the duplex printing option
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Open the Word document you want to print double-sided. Click the File tab at the top left.
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Select Print from the left menu. The Print screen will appear.
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Under the Settings section, click the drop-down box next to Print One Sided.
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Select Manually Print on Both Sides from the list of options.
This will allow Word to print all the odd pages first, then prompt you to flip the pages over and feed them through again to print even pages on the back.
Configure Printer Settings
In addition to configuring double-sided printing in Word, you may need to adjust settings on your printer for duplex printing to work properly:
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Refer to your printer manufacturer’s instructions to verify the model supports manual duplex printing. Most inkjet printers are capable, but some budget laser printers may not support two-sided printing.
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Install the latest print driver software from the manufacturer’s website to access all compatible print options. Old, generic drivers may lack duplex features.
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Check for a duplex or two-sided printing option in the printer’s own settings or print driver interface. Enable this which allows printing on both sides.
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Consider enabling any recommended settings related to double-sided printing like “binding edge” options that flip margins to the correct alignment.
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For label sheets, ensure you load the paper so the labels will print on the correct side for duplex printing.
Configuring the printer device settings gives you full access to manual two-sided printing capabilities.
Print Your Double-Sided Word Document
Once you enable duplex printing in the Word software and on your printer, you can print your document:
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From the Print screen in Word, click Print to launch the print job for all odd-numbered pages.
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Retrieve the printed pages from the output tray. Take care not to smudge wet ink if using an inkjet printer.
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Arrange the stack neatly back in the input tray with pages flipped so blank sides face up. Follow any printer prompts to load pages for second-side printing.
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At the prompt, click Continue in the Word print window to print even-numbered pages on the rear sides.
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Review the full document to confirm pages printed correctly on both sides. Make any necessary adjustments in Word or printer settings if pages are out of alignment.
The key is reloading the paper stack properly to capture the second side pages. Take care not to mix pages up during the duplex printing process.
Tips for Effective Double-Sided Printing
Follow these tips for best results when printing double-sided Word documents:
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Print a test sample first before printing the entire document double-sided, to ensure pages align correctly.
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For large print jobs, print sets in smaller batches to make reloading pages easier.
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Use reasonable print quality settings – extremely high resolution will produce wetter ink and longer drying times.
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Allow a minute or two for ink to dry before reloading pages to avoid smudging.
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Adjust your document margins or printer settings so content avoids the binding edge, to prevent obscuring text in the crease.
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For binding final double-sided documents, use binding combs, spiral coils, staples along the edge rather than down the middle to keep both sides readable.
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Use heavier print paper, like 28-32lb, which holds up better to duplex printing rather than thin paper that coils when wet.
A bit of trial and error may be needed to find the best printable format, paper, and print settings for quality double-sided Word documents.
Troubleshooting Common Double-Sided Printing Issues
If issues arise when duplex printing, check for:
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Pages collated out of order – Ensure you reload pages in the proper stack orientation.
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Blanks pages – Verify print setting is configured for manual duplex, not automatic.
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Upside down pages – Flip stack to load pages correctly for second side.
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Offset alignment – Adjust print driver binding edge setting.
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Light print on back sides – Increase toner density and use heavier print paper.
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Ink smudging – Allow more drying time and use instant dry inks.
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Paper jamming – Confirm paper and tray are suitable for duplex printing.
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Missing printer duplex options – Update printer driver software.
With some trial and tweaking of settings, you can overcome most double-sided printing issues.
Key Takeaways
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Enable manual duplex printing in Word’s Print dialog box.
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Optimize printer settings and install proper drivers to access duplex features.
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Print odd and even pages separately by reloading the paper stack in between.
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Adjust margins, paper type, binding, and print settings to create quality double-sided documents.
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Troubleshoot issues like smearing, alignment, and jams by adjusting print settings, paper loading, and drivers.
With the right printer and settings, you can easily print two-sided Word documents to conserve paper. Just take care when reloading to keep pages in order for professional double-sided output.
Steps for printing double-sided on a home printer
- In Microsoft Word Online (the web version), open the document you want to print double-sided.
- In the Ribbon, click File, and then click Print.
- In the Print slide-out page, click the Print option.
- In the Print window that opens, scroll down on the right side and click the drop-down menu under Print on both sides.
- Select one of the two Print on both sides option in the drop-down menu. The option you select depends on if you want the page to flip over on the long edge or the short edge of the paper.
Microsoft Word desktop application
- Open the document that you want to print double-sided.
- In the Ribbon, click File, then click Print.
- Under Settings, click the down arrow on the right side of the Print One Sided option.
- If the printer can print double-sided automatically, select one of the two Print on Both Sides options, either flip on the long edge or short edge.
If your printer is not capable of printing double-sided automatically, select the Manually Print on Both Sides option.
- Click the Print button.
- On most home printers, after one side of the page is printed, manually put the paper back in the paper tray to print the other side. However, this differs by printer, so please consult your printers user manual to verify the correct paper orientation.
How to Print Double Sided in Microsoft Word [Tutorial]
How do I print a double sided document?
However, there are still ways to print double-sided to help the users to reduce cost. Under the Print Setting, click the Print All Pages and find the Only Print Odd Pages near the bottom gallery. For most rear loading printers (with upright tray), select the automatic print order.
Can Microsoft Word print on both sides?
Microsoft Word allows you to easily print your documents double-sided (on both sides of the paper) by using one of the three methods above matching your printer. Double-sided printing or duplex printing is printing on both sides of the paper, like printing in books.
Does Mac support double sided printing?
If your Mac doesn’t support automatic double-sided printing, you may not see the previous options for short or long-edge binding. You can still print double-sided if you select “Copies and Pages,” followed by “Microsoft Word” under the “Print” menu. Next, select “Odd Pages Only” and print the document.
