How to Print Double Sided Easily
Have you ever been frustrated with figuring out how to print double sided? Maybe you want to print something like the dated version of the Sweet Life Planner so that it's back to back without any blank pages, but you kind of dread all the trial and error involved. I'm sharing my quick and easy tip to ensure that you don't have go through a bunch of trial and error and waste ink and paper every time you want to print something back to back.
I thought the best way to show you my method was to, well, SHOW you via video. Click play to watch this short video:
If you don't have a chance to watch the video, here's a quick synopsis:
Step 1 – I didn't even mention this in the video, but I actually find it easier to avoid my printers automatic double sided printing in many cases because it doesn't work in some situations.
Step 2 – I create a test page where I write a headline on the top of a blank page to pretend like that's the way it's printed. I then guess at how it should go in the printer and draw a couple arrows in the direction that I'm putting the page in. If it doesn't work, I repeat the process but choosing a different direction to put the paper in.
Step 3 – Once it's correct, I just save the page next to printer so I always know how to put the paper in. (I also created a sideways test case in case the text is going sideways on the page).
If you're curious about what printer I use and how I print affordably in full color, click here to read all about it.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.
Becky Says
I’ve done the same thing with my printer! I ended up putting the ‘How to Print Double-sides’ on a note and taping it to the top of my printer, on the scanner lid.
I do fine with undated planners but always hit a snag when the pages are in order by date. I love it when I see that they are mixed up in the pdf because I have high hopes that it means they will come out right 🙂
On my cheap little HP Photosmart I print the odd ones, turn pages (still printed side up) 180 degrees and insert the pages back in with the top side going into the printer. Print even and check ‘reverse’. They come out perfectly.
I also put the instructions in my planner, just in case. 🙂
Elizabeth Says
Becky, do you have any shops to recommend that have planner printables that have ‘mixed up’ pages that are set up to print double sided? I haven’t found any on ETSY. Thank you so much in advance! 🙂
Elizabeth Says
Oops, I see that Laura appears to have some in her shop, so I’m good! Thank you! 🙂
Lori Says
I did the same thing by placing the papers next to my copier for future reference. Problem was, they were adding to my clutter of papers. Using my cellphone, I took a picture of the sheets of paper. So if anyone out there has limited space, this might be an option to consider. You might also want to take a pic of the paper(s) then print them and then tape on your printer ????
Meghan Says
I put a post it note on my printer near where the paper goes in for double sided printing. Than I realized I needed to make sure it printed in the same direction so that the one page or the other wasn’t upside down. I’m going to try your trick for that purpose.