Most often, the wrong duplex binding edge is selected for the page orientation or the way you want to turn the sheet. For portrait pages that should read like a book, choose Flip on Long Edge (also called Long-Edge Binding). For pages that should turn over the top, choose Flip on Short Edge. If you print both sides manually, reloading the paper incorrectly can also leave the reverse side upside down.
What the duplex setting changes
Duplex, or two-sided, printing puts both pages on one sheet. The binding-edge setting determines how the reverse side is oriented when you turn that sheet. If the edge does not match the intended turn, the back can appear upside down.
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Page orientation and binding edge are separate settings: first decide whether the document is portrait or landscape, then choose the edge that matches how the finished pages should turn. Apple lists document Orientation separately from its double-sided option, and describes Double-sided printing as printing on both sides of the paper.
Choose the edge that matches how you will read the pages
| How the sheet should turn | Setting to try |
|---|---|
| Portrait pages turn left-to-right like a book | Flip on Long Edge, Long-Edge Binding, or the equivalent long-edge option |
| Pages turn over the top edge, like a notepad | Flip on Short Edge, Short-Edge Binding, or the equivalent short-edge option |
For landscape pages, do not assume that the portrait choice will work. Check the orientation diagram in the printer manual: the correct setting depends on which edge should act as the binding edge for that layout. Sharp’s BP-22C25 documentation, for example, maps portrait long-edge binding to side binding and portrait short-edge binding to top binding; its labels can vary by macOS version.
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How to fix upside-down pages
- Open the print dialog in your application and confirm the intended page orientation: Portrait or Landscape.
- Find the two-sided or duplex option. Look in Layout, Setup, or the printer-specific options; names and locations vary by driver and device.
- Choose the binding edge. For portrait pages that turn like a book, select Flip on Long Edge or its equivalent. For top-bound pages, select Flip on Short Edge or its equivalent.
- Print a two-page test. Turn the sheet as you would turn the finished document and check that the back is upright. This is a practical check because the available labels and orientation behavior differ among printers.
- If printing manually, follow the reload prompt or diagram for the exact printer. The right way to reinsert the stack depends on the printer’s feed path and sometimes the input tray. Do not assume one universal flipping direction.
- If the test still fails, check the selected printer and driver settings and consult the manual for that model. Confirm that the driver exposes the duplex option you intended to use.
Where to find the setting
macOS
Apple’s print settings include a Double-sided control and a separate Orientation setting. Apple says On (Short Edge) sets the document up for binding at the top. The control is available only when the printer supports double-sided printing.
Windows and manufacturer drivers
Look in the application’s print dialog or the printer’s Properties or Preferences. Labels differ: OKI drivers, for example, use terms such as Long Edge and Short Edge or Flip on Long Edge and Flip on Short Edge in Windows, while macOS options can include Long-Edge Binding, Short-Edge Binding, On, or On (Short-Edge). These are examples, not universal menu paths.
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If you print both sides by hand
Manual duplex printing means the printer prints one side, then asks you to reinsert the pages so it can print the other side. The stack’s orientation and feed direction vary by printer, and HP’s instructions also note that handling can depend on the model and input tray. Follow the on-screen prompt or the manufacturer’s reload diagram; if the result is unclear, print a test sheet to establish the correct direction.
Microsoft distinguishes automatic from manual duplex printing and recommends checking the printer manual or manufacturer for reload instructions. Some printer settings may also carry over to the next job, so review the two-sided option before printing a later document.
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- COMPACT, CONNECTED, EXCEPTIONALLY EFFICIENT– Connect with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, or to a single computer via USB interface. Prints at speeds up to 36ppm(2), plus automatic duplex printing saves time and reduces paper waste
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