Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Print on Both Sides of the Page in Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader

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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:

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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

Important Note: These steps should work for most users. However, the specific options available to you will be determined by your printer’s capabilities, not by Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader. Therefore, consider printing a few sample pages before printing a long PDF. If your printer doesn’t offer duplex printing, please see the section below.
  1. 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.)
  2. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.
  3. Select the Print button in the toolbar. (If the Print button is not in your toolbar, select File > Print.)
Print button in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 1. Print button
  1. Ensure the correct printer is selected in the Print dialog box.
Printer menu in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 2. Printer menu
  1. Enter the number of copies in the Copies text box.
Copies text box in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 3. Copies text box
  1. Select All to print the entire PDF or enter a page range in the Pages text box.
Pages to print options in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 4. Pages to print options
  1. Select Print on both sides of page.
Print on both sides of paper option in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 5. Print on both sides of paper option
  1. Select Flip on long edge or Flip on short edge.
    • 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.)
Flip on long edge and Flip on short edge options in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 6. Flip on long edge and Flip on short edge options
  1. Select the Print button.
Print button in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 7. 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.

Canon printer print on the other side dialog box
Figure 8. Canon printer dialog box

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.

  1. Connect your computer to the printer and ensure the printer is turned on.
  2. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.
  3. Select the Print button in the toolbar (see figure 1). (If the Print button is not in your toolbar, select File > Print.)
  4. Ensure the correct printer is selected in the Print dialog box (see figure 2).
  5. Enter the number of copies in the Copies text box (see figure 3).
  6. Select More Options.
More Options in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 9. 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.

Even pages only option in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 10. Even pages only option

8a. Select Reverse pages.

Reverse pages option in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 11. Reverse pages option

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.

Odd pages only in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 12. Odd pages only option

13a. Ensure that Reverse Pages is not selected.

Reverse pages options not selected in the Print dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 13. Reverse pages option (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

How to Change Page Orientation in Adobe Acrobat