Requirements for Printing Double-Sided PDFs
You may have tried printing a double-sided PDF, but found that it doesn't work. Why can't I print a double-sided PDF on a Mac? Well, there are two possible factors:
❌ Incorrect settings.
Most printers support double-sided printing, also known as duplex printing. However, to ensure successful printing, you need to go to Settings to enable this feature. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Find and select the printer > Ensure the Duplex Module is enabled.
❌ The printer lacks double-sided printing functionality.
If your printer does not support double-sided printing, the printing will fail even if you select the “Double-sided printing” option. In this case, you can perform odd-page and even-page printing to complete the task. Please refer to Way 4 for the details.
Ready? Let's take a look at how to print double-sided PDF on Mac. After learning about all the methods, you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
1. Print Double-Sided PDF on Mac with SwifDoo PDF
[Double-sided printing will be available in the new version.]
If you prefer a factory-standard solution, SwifDoo PDF for Mac is the best choice. It is an all-in-one PDF tool that enables users to view, edit, annotate, protect, and print PDFs.
With SwifDoo PDF for Mac, you can easily print a double-sided PDF without effort. Furthermore, it offers various customizable printing options to meet your specific needs. Below are its key features for printing:
- Print double-sided PDF in one click
- Resize a PDF for printing to get the perfect one
- Select the desired pages and print them out
- Set printing quality for different purposes
Here is how to print double-sided PDF on Mac with SwifDoo PDF:
1. Download, install, and launch the software.
2. On the home page, select the Print PDF option. Browse your device and select the PDF you want to print.
3. On the print dialog, select the right printer and enable Auto Duplex Printing. Then, select "Flip on Long Edge" or "Flip on Short Edge".
4. If everything is OK, click the Print button.
As you can see, SwifDoo PDF has a simple workflow. With just a few clicks, you can complete the printing process. If necessary, you can also edit, annotate, and merge PDFs before printing.
Get SwifDoo PDF to obtain a one-stop PDF solution!
2. Print Double-Sided PDF in Preview
If you don't want to download additional software, you can use Preview, the built-in PDF viewer. However, Preview lacks advanced features. If you need more customizable printing options, consider a professional PDF printer, such as SwifDoo PDF, mentioned above.
Preview is a good option for temporary tasks. Learn how to use Preview to print PDFs on your Mac.
1. Right-click the PDF you want to print > Choose Open With > Select Preview.
2. Click the File option and choose Print. You can also press Command+P.
3. Click the dropdown icon next to Layout. Locate the two-sided printing option and enable it.
4. Adjust other settings and click Print.
3. Print Double-Sided PDF via Chrome
Another way to print both sides of the paper on a Mac is to use Google Chrome. All you need to do is drag and drop the PDF file into the browser and adjust a few settings. The steps are as follows.
1. Open the PDF you want to print in Google Chrome.
2. Press Command + P to launch the print dialog. Remember to select "Print Using System Dialogue."
3. Click "More Settings" and select the "Print on both sides" option.
4. Configure other settings and print the PDF.
4. Print Double-Sided PDF Using Single-Sided Printers
It's possible to print a double-sided PDF if the printer does not support Duplex printing. First, print the odd pages, then print the even pages. Although this is a bit troublesome, it is a feasible method. Please note that you need to turn the printed pages over after completing the first printing.
Check to learn how to print a double-sided PDF with a single-sided printer manually:
1. Open your PDF in Preview, SwifDoo PDF, or Google Chrome.
2. Press Command + P to continue.
3. Adjust the pages to print. For example, in Preview, click on "Paper Handling" and select "Odd Only" next to "Sheets to Print."
4. Click Print to start printing.
5. Then, flip the printed papers and return them to the paper tray. Please check carefully to ensure that the papers are in the correct order.
6. Go to the Print dialog again. Select the "Even Only" option this time.
7. Click Print, and that’s it.
Conclusion
That’s all about how to print double-sided PDF on Mac. If your printer supports Duplex printing, enable this feature when printing. If not, you can complete the task in two steps: first, print the odd pages, then print the even pages. Nevertheless, a professional printer like SwifDoo PDF will complete the task more efficiently. Additionally, you can access various advanced settings to optimize print quality.
