Paper isn't free. Neither is storage space for all those documents. Double-sided (duplex) printing is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs and environmental impact. Yet many businesses never enable it.

The Simple Maths

If your office prints 5,000 pages monthly:

Single-sided: 5,000 sheets of paper
Double-sided: 2,500 sheets of paper
At KES 500 per ream (500 sheets): Save KES 2,500 monthly
Annual savings: KES 30,000 – just from paper

Add reduced storage needs, lower filing costs, and environmental benefits. Duplex printing makes obvious sense.

Types of Duplex Printing

Automatic duplex: The printer handles everything. It prints one side, feeds the paper back through, and prints the other side. No user intervention needed.

Manual duplex: The printer prompts you to flip the paper and reinsert it. More effort, but still cuts paper use in half.

When buying a printer, look for automatic duplex as a feature. It's worth the small price premium.

Setting Up Duplex as Default

In Windows:

Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners
Click your printer, then 'Manage' > 'Printing preferences'
Find the duplex or two-sided option (location varies by driver)
Enable it and select 'Long edge' binding for most documents
Click 'Apply' to make this the default

In macOS:

Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
Select your printer and click 'Options & Supplies'
Look for duplex options in the driver settings

Binding Options Explained

Duplex settings ask about 'binding' – this affects how pages flip.

Long edge binding: Pages flip like a book. Use this for normal documents read left-to-right.

Short edge binding: Pages flip like a notepad. Use this for calendars or documents meant to flip up rather than across.

For most office documents, long edge is correct.

When NOT to Use Duplex

Duplex isn't always appropriate:

Certificates and formal documents: Single-sided looks more professional for official papers.

Photos: Don't print photos on both sides. Image quality suffers and images may show through.

Heavy coverage documents: Documents with lots of ink or toner may show through on lighter paper. Use heavier paper or print single-sided.

Flyers and handouts: Materials given away are often single-sided for visibility.

Carbon copy forms: Multi-part forms obviously can't be duplexed.

Troubleshooting Duplex Problems

Paper jams during duplex:

Paper might be too thin – try heavier stock (90 GSM minimum)
Humid paper curls and jams – ensure paper is dry
Clean the paper path and rollers

Misaligned second side:

Check paper is loaded correctly against guides
Run printer calibration
Clean the paper feed rollers

Slow duplex printing:

Normal – the printer must process each side separately
Some printers pause to let ink/toner dry on first side
Enterprise printers duplex faster than office models

Enforcing Duplex Organisation-Wide

Making duplex the default helps, but users can override it. For stronger control:

Configure defaults at the server level for shared printers
Use print management software to enforce policies
Make single-sided printing require supervisor approval for certain users
Track and report on duplex vs single-sided printing rates

The Environmental Angle

Beyond cost savings, duplex printing demonstrates environmental responsibility. This matters increasingly to clients, partners, and employees. It's an easy sustainability win.

At ilexDigital, we configure printers for optimal efficiency, including duplex defaults. Contact us for help maximizing your printing cost savings and implementing sustainable printing practices.

Double-Sided Printing: Save Paper and Money in Your Kenyan Office