Duplex printing prints both sides of a sheet during a single command cycle, saving paper and used for graphic design trials. Some printers don’t duplex. Duplex printing is automatic and can be done on color or black and white printers. It saves money and is part of a green initiative. It’s also vital for double-sided pieces like programs and instruction manuals. Double-sided printing is used for hard proofs in design departments.
Duplex printing means that both sides of a sheet of paper are printed during a single command cycle. Such printing saves paper. It is also commonly used for graphic design trials and in the production of both text and graphic documents. Some printer models do not duplex.
Duplex printing is different from manually printing one side of a page by removing the sheet, reinserting it upside down, and printing again. In duplex printing, the printer actually prints side one, ejects the paper, returns it to the print surface, and prints side two before ejecting the final piece. This feature is automatic and no manual intervention is required unless something goes wrong.
Only some printers can perform this function. Duplex printers can be color or black and white and can be consumer or commercial models. The program from which the part is printed must also be set to duplex. This is most commonly accomplished by selecting a drop-down option or radio button on the print screen or printer setup.
Many consumers and businesses use double-sided printing as a paper-saving strategy, as they can typically print the same amount of material on half the number of sheets. Often, this is part of an effort to go green or reduce the amount of waste generated. Furthermore, however, saving paper means saving money that can be better used for other initiatives.
In other cases, duplex printing is a vital part of a piece’s design. For example, a folded program might have an image on the cover and a schedule of events inside. Duplex printing allows the printer operator to load paper and select printing only once. Care must be taken to set up the print file so that all faces are printed correctly. For example, if the program file is set up incorrectly, the cover image may appear right-side up, while the text inside prints upside down.
Many pieces are printed with double-sided printing, including flyers, instruction manuals and more. Pieces printed on a heavier stock, such as postcards, are usually produced on a printing press, which uses different technology than a printer. In design departments, however, designers use double-sided printing to produce realistic hard proofs of double-sided pieces. Even though the final piece will be printed on a press, it is often easier for a customer to review and understand a proof if it has been double-sided and cut to the appropriate size.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
