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How to Easily Print Documents Front and Back on Your Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

August 23, 2023 1.5K views

Duplex printing is an excellent solution, but it can be a struggle to set up on your Mac. Fear not, our comprehensive guide has got you covered!

We'll show you easy and efficient ways to print double-sided documents on your Mac, whether you have a duplex-compatible printer or not. Get ready to save paper and make your life easier!

Part 1: Tips Before Printing Front and Back on Mac

Printing front and back on a Mac can save paper and make your documents more professional-looking. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you print front and back on your Mac:

  • Check your printer: Make sure your printer supports duplex printing. If it doesn't, you can still print double-sided using a workaround, which we'll cover in our comprehensive guide.

  • Preview your document: Before printing, preview your document to make sure everything is formatted correctly, and there are no blank pages or errors.

  • Use the right office software: Consider using WPS Office, which is a powerful and easy-to-use office suite that supports various document types including word, excel, pdf, powerpoint.... It has a print preview feature that allows you to see how your document will look before printing..

  • Use the right paper: Double-sided printing works best with thin, high-quality paper. Heavier paper may not work well, and thinner paper may bleed through.

  • Test print: Print a test page to check the alignment and make sure that the front and back pages match up correctly. This will help you avoid wasting paper and ink if there are any issues with the printing.

Part 2: How to Print Front and Back on Mac with a Duplex Compatible Printer

Printing front and back on a Mac with a duplex compatible printer is an efficient and eco-friendly way to print documents. With a duplex printer, you can print on both sides of the page automatically, saving paper and reducing printing costs.

Steps to print double sided on a Mac with a duplex printer:

1. In the program you need to print from, click File. This menu option may be found in the top-left corner of the screen in the menu bar.

2. Select Print. It may be selected from the File drop-down menu. The Print window will open as a result.You may also press Cmd + P.

3. Verify that your Mac and printer are linked. You can use a direct USB connection or an AirPrint printer that has been linked wirelessly. Near the top of the window, under the "Printer" header, is where you may find the name of the presently chosen printer.

  • To change the currently selected printer, click its name and then select the printer you want from the drop-down menu.

4. To print on both sides of the page, use the "Two-Sided" checkbox. The printer dialog and every program are unique, so what you see may vary. If you don't see the two-sided printing choice in that situation, you might need to choose Copies & Pages > Layout.

Note

  • When you click the box next to "Two-Sided" in Word, a drop-down choice appears. You'll often choose Long-Edge Binding from the drop-down selection.

  • You will need to manually print on both sides if there isn't a double-sided printing option since your printer doesn't allow automated duplex printing.

5. Choose Print. The window's bottom is where it is. Your document will start printing on both sides.

Part 3: How to Print Double Sided on Mac with a Non-Duplex Compatible Printer

Printing front and back on a Mac with a non-duplex compatible printer can be a bit more complicated than with a duplex printer, but it is still possible to achieve this with a few extra steps.

Steps to print double sided on a Mac with a non-duplex compatible printer:

1. In the document you need to print two-sided, open the Print window.

2. Select "Paper Handling" from the drop-down menu that appears after Presets or Orientation.

3. Select the checkbox for "Pages to Print." The default setting is "All Pages". That should be "Odd Only."

4. Print off your file. Pages 1, 3, 5, etc., will be provided.

5. Flip the printed papers over and reload the paper tray with them.

6. Reopen the Print window and select the Paper Handling option from the menu.

7. When asked which Pages to Print, select "Even Only."

8. Print off your file. The back of your odd pages will be printed with your even pages.

While printing front and back on a Mac with a non-duplex compatible printer may require some extra effort, it is still a viable option for those who do not have access to a duplex printer. By following these steps, you can still save paper and reduce printing costs while creating professional-looking documents.

Part 4: Why You Need Double-Sided Printing

  • Cost-saving: Double-sided printing can cut down paper costs by up to 50%. By using fewer pages, you'll save money on paper, ink, and toner. Moreover, it's an environmentally friendly way to print.

  • Energy-saving: Since double-sided printing uses half as much paper, it requires less energy to produce, transport, and dispose of. This reduces the carbon footprint and is more energy-efficient.

  • Space-saving: Double-sided printing allows you to print more information on fewer pages, which means you'll need less space to file your documents. It's a great way to save space in your filing cabinets or storage areas.

  • Environmentally-friendly: Double-sided printing is an eco-friendly practice that helps reduce paper waste, conserves resources, and minimizes the carbon footprint. By using fewer sheets of paper, we can help preserve trees and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Convenience: Double-sided printing is more convenient since you won't have to flip pages manually. This is especially useful for documents with multiple pages, such as reports, books, or manuals. You can also print double-sided handouts for presentations or events.

In conclusion, double-sided printing is a practical and cost-effective way to print, and it's an eco-friendly option that benefits both you and the environment.

Part 5: How to Turn off Duplex Printing on Mac?

For Google Chrome

1. Click the file and then Print. Click More Settings. At the bottom of the panel on the left-hand side of the screen, scroll down and click Print Using System Dialog.

2. Make sure the printer name is selected.  Drop the arrow next to Copies & Pages and choose Layout/Finish. Under the label Print Type, drop the arrow, change 2-sided to 1-sided and click the Print button.

For Microsoft Word

1. Click File from the menu and then click Print. Make sure the correct printer name is selected.

2. Drop the arrow next to Copies & Pages and choose Layout/Finish.

3. Under the label, Print Type drop the arrow and change 2-sided to 1-sided and click the Print button.

For Safari

1. Click File and then click Print. Make sure the correct printer name is selected.  

2. Underneath the section labeled Orientation, drop the arrow next to the word Safari and choose Printer Features.

3. Scroll through the list of features and change Print Type from 2-sided to 1-sided. Click the Print button.

How to Do a Printer Test Page on a Mac?

To do a printer test page on a Mac, follow these steps:

1. Open the "System Preferences" app on your Mac.

2. Click on "Printers & Scanners."

3. Select your printer from the list of available printers.

4. Click on the "Options & Supplies" button.

5. In the "Options" tab, click on "Utility."

6. Click on "Print Test Page."

7. The printer will print a test page, which you can use to check the printer's ink levels, alignment, and other settings.

FAQs about Double-Sided Printing on Mac

Does Two Sided Printing Flip on Long or Short Edge?

The direction that two-sided printing flips depends on your printer and its settings. Some printers flip on the long edge (also known as "booklet" or "landscape" orientation), while others flip on the short edge (also known as "tablet" or "portrait" orientation). You can check your printer settings or consult your printer manual to determine which orientation your printer uses for duplex printing.

Summary

In conclusion, no mater you are using a Duplex Compatible Printer or Non-Duplex Compatible Printer, you can easily print documents front and back on your Mac easily.

Overall, printing double-sided documents on your Mac is a great way to promote sustainability and save resources. One great option is the WPS Office Suite, which not only supports double-sided printing but also offers a wide range of features for creating, editing, and sharing documents. So, if you want to streamline your printing process and be more eco-friendly, download and use WPS today.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.