In Windows XP or Mac OS X, how can I print double-sided or 2-up (two pages per sheet)?

The exact setting for printing double-sided sheets or two pages on one side of a sheet of paper (2-up) will vary depending on your printer. However, you can follow the general instructions below to locate the appropriate setting. The instructions are written for printing from a web browser, but you can use them in a word processing program as well.

Windows XP

Printing two pages per sheet (2-up)

1. From your browser's File menu, select Print... .

   In Internet Explorer 7, click the down arrow to the right of the "Print" icon (which contains an image of a printer) and select Print... .

2. Click the Preferences or Properties... button.
   
   
3. Look for a setting such as 2 up or "Pages Per Sheet:" (if you see this setting, select 2).

   The exact wording of the setting varies from printer to printer, and not all printers provide this option.

   Note: This is not the same as printing double-sided (i.e., one page on each side, front and back). The 2-up/2 pages per sheet option shrinks the pages you want to print so they both fit on the same side of the paper.

Printing double-sided

1. From your browser's File menu, select Print... .

   In Internet Explorer 7, click the down arrow to the right of the "Print" icon (which contains an image of a printer) and select Print... .

2. Click the Preferences or Properties... button.
   
   
3. Look for a checkbox, radio button, or a section heading labeled Print on Both Sides.

   You might have a choice about the orientation of the page (for example, Flip on Long Edge or Flip on Short Edge). When you click one of the choices, you may see an illustration that shows how the pages will be oriented. If you are printing 2-up, choosing Flip on Short Edge (or similar option) may provide more convenient page turns, but if you are putting the pages in an 8 1/2"x11" binder, you might prefer Flip on Long Edge.

Mac OS X

The following instructions apply to Mac OS X version 10.3 (Panther) and 10.4 (Tiger).

Printing two pages per sheet (2-up)

1. From your browser's File menu, select Print... .
   
   
2. Click the pull-down menu that says Copies & Pages and select Layout.
   
   
3. Next to "Pages per Sheet:", select 2.

Note: This is not the same as printing double-sided (i.e., one page on each side, front and back). The 2-up/2 pages per sheet option shrinks the pages you want to print so they both fit on the same side of the paper.

Printing double-sided

1. From your browser's File menu, select Print... .
   
   
2. Click the pull-down menu that says Copies & Pages and select Layout.
   
   
3. Next to "Two Sided Printing", select the appropriate radio button (Long-Edge Binding or Short Edge Binding, depending on the orientation you want for your pages). When you select one of these options, the illustration will show you how the pages will be oriented. If you are printing 2-up, choosing Short Edge Binding may provide more convenient page turns, but if you're putting the pages in an 8 1/2" x 11" binder, you might prefer Long Edge Binding.