This tutorial shows how to print on both sides of the page in Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader using your printer’s duplex (double-sided) printing capabilities. The bonus section at the end discusses a manual option if your printer doesn’t offer duplex printing.
Table of Contents:
- How to Print on Both sides of the Page Using Duplex Printing
- Bonus Section: How to Manually Print on Both Sides of the Page
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The images below are from Adobe Acrobat Pro on Windows 11. These steps also apply to Adobe Acrobat 2020, Adobe Acrobat 2017, and updated versions of Acrobat Reader on a PC.
These steps don’t currently apply to Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader on a Mac.
How to Print on Both Sides of the Page Using Duplex Printing
- Connect your computer to the printer and ensure the printer is turned on. (If the printer is not turned on before starting this process, you may not see all available options.)
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.
- Select the Print button in the toolbar. (If the Print button is not in your toolbar, select File > Print.)
- Ensure the correct printer is selected in the Print dialog box.
- Enter the number of copies in the Copies text box.
- Select All to print the entire PDF or enter a page range in the Pages text box.
- Select Print on both sides of page.
- Select Flip on long edge or Flip on short edge.
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- Choose Flip on long edge if you want to turn the pages right to left like a book or magazine. (Binding would be on the left.)
- Choose Flip on short edge if you want to turn the pages bottom to top like a calendar. (Binding would be on the top.)
- Select the Print button.
If your printer doesn’t automatically flip the pages, follow the dialog box telling you when and how to turn the paper to print on the second side.
For example, figure 8 shows the dialog box from my Canon printer. The dialog box from your printer may look different.
Bonus Section: How to Manually Print on Both Sides of the Page
You can manually print on both sides of the page even if your printer doesn’t offer duplex (double-sided) printing.
However, the direction the paper needs to be flipped will depend on several factors, including how the paper is loaded into your printer.
Therefore, these steps are only general instructions. I strongly encourage you to test this process on a short PDF before trying to print a long PDF.
- Connect your computer to the printer and ensure the printer is turned on.
- Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.
- Select the Print button in the toolbar (see figure 1). (If the Print button is not in your toolbar, select File > Print.)
- Ensure the correct printer is selected in the Print dialog box (see figure 2).
- Enter the number of copies in the Copies text box (see figure 3).
- Select More Options.
If the Printed Paper Comes Out of Your Printer Facing Down
7a. Select Even pages only in the Odd or Even Pages menu.
8a. Select Reverse pages.
9a. Select the Print button (see figure 7).
10a. After the print job is finished, flip the paper in your printer. (This is where you may need to do some experimentation to achieve the desired results.)
11a. Repeat steps 1 through 6 to return to the More Options section in the Print dialog box (see figure 9).
12a. Select Odd pages only in the Odd or Even Pages menu.
13a. Ensure that Reverse Pages is not selected.
14a. Select the Print button (see figure 7).
If the Printed Paper Comes Out of Your Printer Facing Up
7b. Select Even Pages Only from the Odd or Even Pages menu (see figure 10).
8b. Ensure that Reverse Pages is not selected (see figure 13).
9b. Select the Print button (see figure 7).
10b. After the print job is finished, flip the paper in your printer.
11b. Repeat steps 1 through 6 to return to the More Options section in the Print dialog box (see figure 9).
12b. Select Odd pages only from the Odd or Even Pages menu (see figure 12).
13b. Select Reverse Pages (see figure 11).
14b. Select the Print button (see figure 7).
Related Resources
Three Ways to Print PDFs with Comments and Mark-Ups in Adobe Acrobat