How to Manually Print Double-Sided PDFs Without a Duplex Printer
Question details
The user needs to print a PDF document on both sides of the paper using a standard printer that lacks automatic duplex capabilities.
- Product
- PDF Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a multi-page PDF document to save paper using a basic printer setup.
- Observed behavior
- The printer only prints on one side of the paper automatically, requiring a manual workaround to achieve double-sided printing.
Before printing the entire document, test print a single page and mark it with a pencil to determine your printer's exact paper feed direction and avoid printing upside down.
Manually Print Odd and Even Pages
Use the odd and even print settings in your PDF reader to simulate duplex printing.
This method works on virtually any printer and PDF viewer. By separating the document into two batches, you can manually flip the stack of paper between print jobs to ensure both sides are printed correctly.
Open your PDF file and go to File > Print, or press Ctrl+P on your keyboard.
In the print settings menu, look for 'Pages to Print' or 'Subset' and select 'Odd Pages Only', then click Print.
Once the odd pages finish, take the printed stack and reinsert it into the printer tray. Ensure the blank sides face the correct print direction based on your printer's feed.
Open the Print dialog again, change the setting to 'Even Pages Only', and click Print to complete the double-sided document.
Use the Manual Duplex Feature in Printer Properties
Some printer drivers have a built-in manual duplex setting that automatically prompts you to flip the paper at the right time.
Seamlessly Print Double-Sided PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a highly intuitive PDF reader with advanced printing options, making it exceptionally easy to separate odd and even pages for manual duplex printing. It is lightweight, fast, and completely free to use for viewing and managing documents.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your multi-page PDF document.
- 2. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Print' icon in the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P to bring up the comprehensive printing dialog.
- 3. Select Subset Options: In the 'Print Range' section, locate the Subset dropdown, choose 'Odd pages only', and hit Print.
- 4. Reload and Print Even Pages: Flip your printed pages, reload the printer tray, open the print dialog again, and select 'Even pages only' to finish your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my second side print upside down?
This happens if the paper was rotated incorrectly when reinserted. If your printer flips paper from the top edge, you need to flip the stack vertically. Always do a single-page test print first to confirm the correct feed orientation for your specific printer model.
Should I select 'Reverse Pages' when printing the even pages?
It depends entirely on your printer's output tray. If your printer outputs pages face-up (meaning page 1 is at the top of the stack when finished), you will likely need to select 'Reverse Pages' for the even-numbered batch so page 2 prints on the back of page 1 appropriately.
How do I know which way to reload the paper without ruining my document?
Before initiating a large print job, take a blank piece of paper, draw an arrow on it pointing into the printer, and print a test page. Observe where the ink appears relative to the arrow. This simple test will show you exactly which side and direction the printer uses, taking the guesswork out of reloading.
