Printing documents, both business and personal documents will increase the amount of paper waste. One way to reduce the amount of paper used is to perform duplex printing, otherwise known as two-sided printing. This means printing both the front and the back on a sheet of paper. Check out this guide to find out how to double-sided printing with Word.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Configuring the Printer
Step 1. Decide if your printer supports duplex printing
- The easiest way to check is to open a Microsoft Word document. Press "Print" and look for the checkbox that specifies "double-sided," "2-sided" or "duplex" printing. Be sure to look at the preferences or settings in the Print menu.
- Although duplex printing is printer dependent, larger enterprise printers are more likely to support this type of printing because it reduces waste and can be done quickly. Home ink printers usually don't have this option.
Step 2. Refer to the printer's instructions if the duplex printing setting is not found
The printer index may show you a selection of print types, or you can search the internet for "duplex" printing and your printer type.
Step 3. Change the settings as indicated by the printer manual
On some printers, you may have to change the default setting for duplex printing instead of selecting it each time you print.
Step 4. See if you can connect your computer to another printer that supports duplex printing
You can ask IT or other departmental partners about printers for this purpose.
- Add a printer that supports two-sided printing from within the "Application" or "My Computer" folder.
- If you can set up your computer with a copier or scanner that performs two-sided copies, it might also be capable of two-sided printing in Microsoft Word.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Default Settings On Printer
Step 1. Print using normal printer settings, if your printer supports duplex printing
Check the box or select "double-sided printing" from the printer settings drop-down menu each time you print a long document
Step 2. Set duplex printing manually, if the automatic setting does not appear, but the printer instructions state that you can print duplex by default
In manual duplex printing, Microsoft Word prints every other page on the first side of the sheet, and then you reload the paper to print the even-numbered pages on the back side of the paper
Step 3. Open the Print dialog box under Printer application
Step 4. Scroll through the options one by one and select "Manual Duplex"
Save these settings.
Step 5. Go back to your document
Print the document. Microsoft Word will ask you to re-insert the page to be printed on the opposite side.
Method 3 of 3: Manually Double-Sided Printing
Step 1. Open your document
Step 2. Click "Print"
Step 3. Select the option "Print Odd Numbered Pages" or the like
Click "OK" to print this page.
Step 4. Reload the paper into the printer
You must know the paper feed function on the printer to be able to duplex manually. Some printers require the page to be face up, while some other printers require the page to be face down. Printed paper may also need to be rearranged. Print a few sample pages until you understand how your printer's feed works before reinserting the odd-numbered pages
Step 5. Go back to your document
Select "Print Even Numbered Pages" then click "OK" to print the other side of the paper on the printer.
