Producing double-sided copies allows you to be more efficient in your printing and gives your documents a polished look. Equally, picking “Flip on Short Edge” or “Flip on Long Edge” offers a very important challenge that can easily affect the quality of your print. Knowing how these features work will assist you in preventing misprinted pages, misaligned pages, or upside-down prints. In this article, we will cover these two settings in detail, their specific uses, and the explanation of their functions.
Explaining “Flip on Short Edge” and “Flip on Long Edge”
Concerning the printing of double-sided documents, the alignment of printed pages determines how the text and images will appear on the surface of the paper. The settings “Flip on Short Edge” and “Flip on Long Edge” can help define how printed pages will be positioned and aligned.
Flip On Short Edge
This option flips the paper along the shorter side of the page. When one page is printed, turning the page to reveal the next one will form the required orientation. This setting is commonly used for landscape-oriented documents.
Flip On Long Edge
This setting flips the page along the longer side. This is mostly applicable to portrait-oriented documents. Turning a page in the middle of the book will usually reveal the next page perfectly aligned on the back side.
When to Use Flip Short Edge or Flip Long Edge
Knowing when to pick each option makes sure that the prints do not appear incorrectly. Below are common scenarios for both settings:
Use Flip on Short Edge When:
- The document is landscape (wider than tall).
- For notepad or calendar printing.
- For brochures or handouts printing that flip vertically.
- Use Flip on Long Edge When:
- The document is portrait (taller than wide).
- For booklet or manual printing.
- For a double-sided document that can be a bound book.
How to Set Flip on Short Edge or Long Edge in Printing
Setting these options is not difficult. Perform the steps below to make sure the print settings are correct:
For Windows users:
Open the document that needs printing.
- Select File, then Print.
- Select your printer.
- Press Properties or Printer Settings.
- Locate Duplex Printing or Two-Sided Printing.
- Choose Set Print on Short Edge or Set Print on Long Edge as needed.
- Press OK, then Print.
For Mac users:
- Open the document and click on File, then Print.
- Highlight your printer.
- Select Layout in the print options.
- For Two-Sided, select either Flip on Short Edge or Flip on Long Edge.
- Then click on Print.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When it comes to doubling printing, situations could go wrong despite the appropriate setups. Here are some of the most common problems and ways to solve them:
- The Pages Are Printing Upside Down
Solution: Go back and forth between “Flip on Short Edge” and “Flip on Long Edge” until you find the right one for your document.
- The Margins Are Not Properly Aligned
Solution: Before printing, check the print preview and see if the alignment needs any adjustment.
- The Printer Does Not Print on Both Sides
Solution: One, make sure your printer has the duplex printing option. Two, check that the duplex printing option is on.
Tips to Ensure Perfect Double-Sided Printing
- Check the alignment of the document you are printing before printing it.
- If you are printing an extensive document, test a couple of pages first.
- Ensure the paper used is of good quality to avoid ink bleeding through on double-sided prints.
- Adjust the margins so the text is not cut off after the pages are breathed.
Conclusion
Knowing how “Flip on Short Edge” differs from “Flip on Long Edge” is crucial in making sure your double-sided prints are properly aligned. Regardless of whether you are printing guide books, manuals, or notepads, selecting the right option increases the quality of your prints.
At Geeks Worldwide Solutions, all sorts of issues related to printer setups and problems are easily solved by our professionals. From fixing problems with print alignment to adjusting the printer settings, we take care of all your needs. Contact us (+1 408-416-3696) for professional printer and other IT services today!
