Printing business or personal documents can increase the amount of paper waste that is produced. To reduce the amount of paper you use, you can print in duplex mode, otherwise known as double-sided: this means that both sides of each sheet are used. Here's how you can proceed with Word.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Configure the Printer
Step 1. Check if your printer supports double-sided printing
- The easiest way to check this is to open a Microsoft Word document. Press "Print" and look for where to put a check that specifies "double-sided", "both sides" or "duplex". Be sure to check your preferences or settings in the Print menu.
- The duplex mode depends on the printer. Larger business devices typically have this process because it reduces waste, costs, and is fast, while smaller home inkjet printers are less likely to have this option.
Step 2. If you can't find any duplex print settings, look in your printer manual
The index can indicate options for print types or you can search online for the terms "duplex printing" and printer type.
Step 3. Change the settings as directed by the printer manual
On some printers, you may need to change the default setting to "duplex" instead of choosing it every time.
Step 4. Check to see if you can connect your computer with another printer that supports duplex mode
You can ask a CED person or a colleague from a different department to check if the printer assigned to them has this option.
- Follow the entire wizard in your "Applications" or "Computer" window to add the printer that supports duplex mode.
- If you can set up your computer with a copier or scanner with a duplex option, you can also print double-sided sheets from Microsoft Word.
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Change the Default Printer Settings
Step 1. If your printer supports duplex, go to its Settings
Select the checkbox or choose "Print on Both Sides" from the drop-down list in the Printer Settings menu each time you print a long document
Step 2. If the automatic setting does not appear, but the manual says you can print on both sides, set the manual option
In manual duplex mode, Microsoft Word prints each page on the first side of the paper - you have to reinsert the paper to print the other pages on the back
Step 3. Go to the Print dialog box under the Printer application
Step 4. Scroll through the options and choose "Manual Duplex"
Save your settings.
Step 5. Go back to your document and print it
Microsoft Word will ask you to reinsert the pages on the opposite side to be able to print them.
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Manual Duplex Printing
Step 1. Open the document
Step 2. Click "Print"
Step 3. Choose the option that says "Print Odd Pages" or a similar phrase
Click "OK" to print these pages.
Step 4. Reinsert the paper into the printer
This mode requires you to know how the paper feeder works. Many printers require pages face up for duplex, others, conversely, require page down. They may also need to be reordered. Try several sample pages to understand how your printer feeder works before reinserting the odd pages
Step 5. Go back to your document
Choose "Print Even Pages" and click "OK" to insert the other side of the paper into the printer.
