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Enabling two-sided (duplex) printing on Mac

Recently while trying to print a web-page via Safari, I realized that the two-sided print option was disabled.

Two-Sided printing option is disabled

At first I thought it was something to do with Snow Leopard and HP’s printer drivers (the printer was an HP LaserJet P3005). However, even after installing the latest HP printer drivers the two-sided print option remained disabled.

It so happens that the printer driver was unable to automatically detect if the printer supports duplex printing and has to be “told” that the printer is indeed capable of doing so.

I went to System Preferences → Print & Fax. From there I selected the HP printer (the only one installed on my system). I then clicked the Options & Supplies button and in the resulting dialog, selected the Driver tab.

System Preferences → Print & Fax

The checkbox that marked this printer as a Duplex Unit was unchecked so I checked it.

The Duplex Unit checkbox

Next time when I tried printing, I got a Two-Sided checkbox. Also the Two-Sided drop-down, that would allow me to pick which edge I wanted to choose for binding, was also enabled.

Two-Sided printing (aka Duplex Printing) is now enabled

This entry was posted Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 9:16 pm and is filed under OS, Tips. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • I have seen that disable of two-sided print option is automatic regardless of latest driver or any software issue....you have to enable it manually
  • Dgwalker
    Thank you very much! You solved my problem perfectly. I really appreciate this.
  • Kimberley
    hmmm.. I tried this, and in my settings, the duplex function wasn't ticked..
    however, after following these procedures.. I found that I still was not able to print duplex..

    strange. the screen is still identical, with the duplex function barred.
    Please do try to help..
    I feel so guilty for chopping down so many trees!
  • Helena
    In my Driver section the duplex option doesn't appear but I know my printer can print double-sided because I used to do it in my Windows XP computer.
    I have a brand new Mac 10.6.2 and a HP 2355 all-in-one printer.
    Please help.
  • Mark Morelande
    Thanks for this. I found it very useful.
  • aceneerav
    If I'm not wrong two sided printing will printing on both the sides of the page in one go right?
  • That's right.
  • Neerav Kothari
    My HP PhotoSmart 4500 driver on snow leopard dosn't list any option.
  • That's because this printer doesn't support Duplex printing. Please see:
    http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/18972-18972-238444-421635-410635-3575173.html (look under Paper Handling)

    "Duplex printing (printing on both sides of paper)
    None (not supported)"
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