How to Fix Acrobat Not Printing Double-Sided by Default on Mac
Question details
The user needs to make Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader print double-sided by default on a Mac.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Printing PDF documents directly from Adobe Acrobat software on macOS.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat defaults to single-sided printing and ignores the system-wide CUPS settings, even though double-sided printing works perfectly in other Mac applications.
Verify that your printer physically supports automatic duplex (two-sided) printing and that it is turned on and connected to your Mac.
Create a macOS Printer Preset from Within Acrobat
Use the macOS native print dialog accessed through Acrobat to save your two-sided printing preference as a reusable preset.
Adobe Acrobat uses a custom print dialog that can sometimes bypass macOS system defaults. By creating a custom preset through the native macOS print interface bridged via Acrobat, you can force the software to remember your double-sided preference.
Launch Adobe Acrobat, open your PDF document, and navigate to File > Print.
At the bottom left of the Acrobat Print dialog, click on the 'Printer...' button. If a warning prompt appears advising you to use Acrobat's print dialog, click 'Yes' to proceed to the system settings.
In the macOS print window, locate and check the 'Two-Sided' box. If it is not visible, select 'Layout' from the dropdown menu and set 'Two-Sided' to Long-Edge binding or Short-Edge binding.
Click the 'Presets' dropdown menu at the top of the dialog and choose 'Save Current Settings as Preset...'. Name the preset 'Double-Sided Default' and click OK.
Click 'Print' in the macOS dialog, and then 'Print' again in the Acrobat dialog. Acrobat should now remember this preset for future print jobs.
Re-add the Printer with the Correct Manufacturer Driver
If the preset doesn't stick, remove the printer and reinstall it to ensure macOS isn't defaulting to a generic driver that Acrobat fails to read.
Easily Print PDFs Double-Sided with WPS Office
If Acrobat continues to ignore your Mac's default print settings, try WPS Office. The WPS PDF reader provides a straightforward, user-friendly print dialog that integrates seamlessly with your macOS printer settings for hassle-free two-sided printing.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Open Print Settings: Press Cmd + P on your keyboard or go to Menu > Print to open the print dialog.
- 3. Select Two-Sided: Locate and check the 'Two-Sided' printing option directly in the main print window.
- 4. Print: Click 'Print' to immediately start printing your document on both sides of the paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does double-sided printing work in Safari but not in Adobe Acrobat on Mac?
Adobe Acrobat relies on its own custom print dialog to handle complex graphics and colors, rather than the native macOS dialog used by apps like Safari. Because of this architectural difference, Acrobat sometimes ignores the system-level CUPS default settings. You need to configure a specific preset within Acrobat via the 'Printer...' button.
How do I make my Mac print double-sided by default for all applications?
You can change the default setting via the CUPS web interface (localhost:631) or by setting up a 'Two-Sided' preset as your default in the macOS Printers & Scanners settings. However, be aware that third-party applications with custom dialogs (like Acrobat) might still require you to manually select this preset.
What should I do if the 'Two-Sided' option is grayed out in the Mac print dialog?
If the option is grayed out, macOS likely hasn't recognized that your printer has a duplexer installed. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click your printer, go to 'Options & Supplies', and ensure the 'Duplex Printing Unit' is checked under the Options tab.
Does WPS Office on Mac support double-sided printing?
Yes, WPS Office fully supports double-sided printing on macOS. Its print dialog cleanly interfaces with Apple's native printer drivers, allowing you to easily check the two-sided option before printing any Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or PDF file.
