Many users print long documents so they can read them easily without staring at a computer screen for a long time. When printing a long document for casual reading, you might want to print on both sides of the paper to save half the number of paper sheets, which indirectly saves trees.
Duplex printing is a relatively new feature available on a select set of modern printers that lets users print on both sides of paper without manual intervention. The feature, when enabled, automatically prints on both sides of paper.
While duplex printing or printing on both sides is an excellent feature, not all printers support it. Only select printers offer the feature.
NOTE: If your printer does not support 2-sided printing or duplex printing, you can still manually print on both sides of the paper, but it takes a lot of time and effort, especially when you have tens of pages to print.
This guide shows you how to use your supported printer to print on both sides of paper connected to a Windows 11 PC.
Method 1 of 2
Print on both sides of paper in a Canon printer via the print dialog
Step 1: Open the document or PDF file that you wish to print on both sides of paper.
Step 2: Click the File menu and then click the Print option to open the Print dialog. If using a web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, simultaneously press Ctrl and P (Ctrl + P) to see the Print panel.
Step 3: Here, select the Print on both sides option before clicking the Print button. If the option doesn’t show up, make sure your printer is turned on and the same is selected in the Print dialog.
Long edge means the printed paper turns from left to right, like a book, whereas short edge means the paper turns bottom to top, like a typical calendar.
NOTE: In some apps, such as Notepad, you may need to click the More settings link to see the Print on both sides option. And if you cannot see the Print on both sides option, refer to the directions in Method 2 below, which uses the official Canon Print app to print on both sides of paper.
Method 2 of 2
Use the Canon Print app to print on both sides of paper in Windows 11
This method is ideal for printing PDFs and other common document types. For Office Word and Excel documents, please use the official Word and Excel apps only.
Step 1: Launch the Canon Print app. If it’s not installed already, you can get it from the official Microsoft Store. It’s free!
Step 2: On the Home screen of the Canon Print app, click on Document Print and then select the document that you wish to print to open the Printer settings page.
Step 3: Select 2-Sided printing (long edge) or 2-sided printing (short edge) from the 2-sided printing drop-down menu and then click the Print button.
Use the long-edge option if you prefer the page to turn from left to right like a book, and select the short-edge option if you prefer the page to turn from bottom to top like a calendar.
Our how to check the Canon printer ink levels in Windows 11 guide might also interest you.
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