Print PDF double-sided: align pages correctly for binding
1 min read·25 July 2026
Double-sided printing saves paper and looks professional. PDFrust's duplex tool helps prepare your PDF so that front and back pages align correctly after printing and binding.
Flip on long edge vs. short edge
Two duplex methods: flip on long edge is standard for portrait A4 — pages read like a book. Flip on short edge is standard for landscape A4 — pages read like a clipboard. Choose the correct method for your document orientation.
Add binding margin
When printing and binding double-sided, you need extra-wide inner margins. Use the margins tool to set asymmetric margins: larger left margin on odd pages (spine), larger right margin on even pages (spine). This prevents text being hidden by the binding.
Merge duplex scan
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Fix odd page count
A document with an odd number of pages ends on a recto page — when printing double-sided, the back of that sheet is blank. Add a blank page with the addBlank tool to reach an even total.
Printer settings for duplex
On most printers, set duplex in the print dialogue (File → Print → Two-sided or Duplex). If your printer lacks built-in duplex: print odd pages first, reload the paper stack, then print even pages. Use the evenOdd tool to separate the two sets.
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