Print Double Sided Word: Step-by-Step Guide

To print double-sided in Microsoft Word, open the Print dialog (Ctrl+P), select your printer, and choose “Print on Both Sides� or “Duplex Printing� from the settings menu—then click Print. If your printer lacks automatic duplexing, you can manually flip pages using the “Manually Print on Both Sides� option. This guide covers the exact steps for Windows and Mac, how to handle manual flipping, common problems, and tips for booklets and PDFs.

What Is Double-Sided Printing?

Double-sided printing (also called duplex printing) prints on both sides of each sheet of paper. It saves paper, reduces postage costs, and makes documents feel more professional. Most office printers support automatic duplexing, while many home inkjets require manual flipping. Word has built-in options for both methods, so you don’t need special software.

How to Print Double-Sided in Word (Windows)

Steps for Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 on Windows 10/11:

1. Open your document in Word.
2. Press Ctrl+P or go to File > Print.
3. Under Printer, select the printer you want to use.
4. In the Settings section, click the dropdown that says “Print One Sided� (or “Single-sided�).
5. Choose one of these options:
   • Print on Both Sides – flips pages along the long edge (like a book).
   • Print on Both Sides, Flip on Short Edge – flips pages along the short edge (like a notepad).
6. Click Print.

If you don’t see the “Print on Both Sides� option, your printer may not support automatic duplexing. In that case, choose Manually Print on Both Sides. Word will print all odd-numbered pages first, then prompt you to reload the paper and flip it over.

How to Print Double-Sided in Word (Mac)

On macOS, the steps are similar but the menu names differ:

1. Press Cmd+P or go to File > Print.
2. Select your printer from the dropdown.
3. In the print dialog, look for a section called Layout or Copies & Pages (depending on your macOS version).
4. Find the Two-Sided option and choose Long-Edge binding or Short-Edge binding.
5. Click Print.

If you don’t see a Two-Sided option, check your printer’s driver settings via System Settings > Printers & Scanners—some printers require you to enable duplexing in the driver before Word can see it.

Manual Double-Sided Printing (No Duplexer)

If your printer doesn’t have automatic duplexing, you can still print double-sided manually. The process is simple but requires attention to paper orientation.

1. In the Print dialog, select Manually Print on Both Sides (Windows) or Two-Sided > Manual (Mac).
2. Word prints all odd-numbered pages first (page 1, 3, 5, etc.).
3. When prompted, take the printed pages out of the output tray.
4. Flip them over without rotating them—usually you turn the stack like a page in a book (long edge) or like a notepad (short edge).
5. Reload the stack into the paper tray (check your printer’s manual for which side faces up).
6. Click Continue or OK in the dialog.

Pro tip: Print a one-page test first to see which orientation works. If the back side is upside down, try flipping the stack the other way (short edge instead of long edge).

Choosing the Right Flip Option

The “flip on long edge� vs. “flip on short edge� choice matters for how you bind the document.

• Long edge (book style): The pages flip like a book—the top of page 2 is at the top when you turn the page. Use this for portrait documents that will be bound on the left side.
• Short edge (notepad style): The pages flip upward like a calendar or notepad. Use this for landscape documents or when binding along the top edge.

If you’re unsure, print a two-page test and check which side is up on the back of the page.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are the most common issues people run into:

• The option is grayed out: Your printer driver may not support duplexing. Update the driver from the manufacturer’s website, or use manual duplexing.
• Pages come out upside down on the back: You chose the wrong flip option. Try the other one.
• The manual prompt doesn’t appear: Some printers have a “Manual Duplexâ€� mode in the driver. Check the printer’s preferences dialog.
• Paper jams when flipping: Use a lighter paper weight (e.g., 20 lb/75 gsm) and make sure the stack is not too thick.
• Printing a PDF or other format: Word’s duplex options only apply to Word documents. For PDFs, use the print dialog in your PDF viewer (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader) and look for “Double-Sidedâ€� or “Duplexâ€� there.

Printing a Booklet or Brochure

Word also has a Booklet option that automatically arranges pages so you can fold them into a booklet. This is different from simple double-sided printing:

1. Go to File > Print.
2. Under Settings, click the last dropdown (usually “Print All Pages�).
3. Choose Print on Both Sides and then Print on Both Sides – Flip pages on short edge.
4. Select Booklet from the “Pages per sheet� dropdown.

Word will print the pages in the correct order for folding. The number of pages must be a multiple of 4; if not, Word adds blank pages automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t my printer have the “Print on Both Sides� option?

Most likely your printer doesn’t support automatic duplexing. Check your printer’s manual or specifications for “duplex� or “two-sided�. If it doesn’t, use the manual option or print one side at a time yourself.

What’s the difference between “flip on long edge� and “flip on short edge�?

Long edge means the pages turn like a book (left to right). Short edge means they turn like a notepad (top to bottom). Choose based on how you’ll bind the document.

Can I print double-sided from Word on a Mac?

Yes, but the option may be in the Layout section of the print dialog. If you don’t see it, your printer driver may not expose it—try updating the driver or using the manual method.

How do I print double-sided to a PDF?

If you want a PDF with double-sided pages, you can print to a PDF printer (like “Microsoft Print to PDF�) and choose the duplex option in the print dialog. The resulting PDF will have pages in order, but it won’t have “two-sided� metadata—it just looks like a normal PDF.

Why does the back side print upside down?

You selected the wrong flip option. If the back is upside down, try the other flip option (long edge vs. short edge).

Does double-sided printing save paper?

Yes, it uses half the paper compared to single-sided printing. For a 20-page document, you’ll use 10 sheets instead of 20.

Related

• Chicken Fighter Nebula Hen Cycle of Ash Fusion
• Wordle Hard Mode: Rules, Tips & How to Turn It On
• Green Screen Backgrounds: How They Work & How to Use Them