The optimal solution if it's a networked printer is to have 2 printer choices on a desktop: single sided & duplex.

of all the printers I've worked with, they hide that function rather deep into the driver, thus it's never used.

add on to that, I'd say 9/10 printers don't have that option, it's usually adds a few $100 to the cost.

I thought you were suggesting there should be an option for double sided printing even when the printer can't do it, as in the button would be redundant but at least would still be there!

It's a great idea and I wish you the best of luck with it. I will send you some screenshots when I get a chance.

First, thanks for posting this. I am now at about 30 submissions, and I am learning more and more as the submissions come in.

In short, my letter really is about better communication. That were HP/ Canon/ Epson/ etc to have a simple radio button on the front, and would allow users to create a default for duplex printing, that would go a long wasy.

As it stands though, many models require 2-3 clicks to make it possible to duplex print.

It is nothing more than changing the user interface to make this easier..

R

To address a few opoints you have raised.

1) Many people are not purchasing the enterprise systems (500 USD and up) that can internally print double sided. Instead, they have the 100USD – 300USD printers that are made for the home/ home office. Printers that are mechanically only able to print on one side.

However, for about 60% – 75% of THOSE printers, what I have found is that manufacturers have not included a simple software additional that instructs users how to accomplish a manual double print.

So, instead of selecting an option for “double side print”, what many are left with is Odd or Even page print..

2) As to the why would people want to double side print? Well.. Iguess that depends on the person, but that is actually beside the point. The point here is that even if only 10% of the users want to, many are not given the instructions on how to, and that inhibits people from actually doing so.

Which, ends up wasting paper.

As a final point, and to address the wider point of why I myself was interested in originally sending this email to about 30 friends was that as someone who has been working on CSR/ sustainability, I am constantly hearing messages from firms about how “green” they are. They plant a tree, save energy/ output,etc… and many consumer electronics firms have recently come out to say they are “carbon neutral”.

Yet, a simple thing like this – providing a SIMPLE piece of code – and enabling millions of users to EASILY double side print, is something that is very tangible.

Anyway, glad that you have purchased printers that are enabled and mechanically able to print. I myself am a very light printer, and have moved mostely to digital, so the issue for me is not a cost item… it is one where I saw a very easy step towards reducing a huge amount of paper waste and asked some friends to send me what their user experience was.

.. and I would invite you to submit yours as well

R

I had no idea. Perhaps it is just a matter of the printer manufacturers publicizing the feature more.

“Regardless of whether or not you can actually doubleside print” Why on earth would you want an option to print on both sides when your printer cannot actually print double sided – that makes no sense at all!

I'm all for trying to find ways to reduce our impact on the environment but none of what he's saying really makes any sense to me. Surely people not buying printers capable of double sided printing is the real issue here?