Printing Lingo: What is Duplex Printing?
In the world of commercial print production, Duplex Printing refers to the printing of content on both sides of a sheet of paper. It is a term most often associated with projects produced on digital printing presses (a related concept, called perfecting, is most often associated with offset printing presses).
Understanding Duplex Printing
In its purest sense, Duplex Printing refers to the automated process of printing both sides of a sheet in a single pass through a press. However, many people use the term Duplex as a generic reference to any double-sided or two-sided printing, regardless of how it produced.
Simplex vs. Duplex: What's the Difference?
Presses without automated duplexing capabilities are known as single-sided presses or Simplex presses. As you have likely surmised, Simplex refers to the printing of content on only one side of the paper. A Simplex press can still produce double-sided printing, but it is not a completely automated process. One side of the sheets must be printed first, then the sheets must be manually turned over and sent back through the press a second time in order to receive printing on the reverse side.
Needless to say, a press with automated duplexing capabilities saves time, which translates into cost savings. Also, by using both sides of a sheet, duplex printing conserves paper.
If you have any questions about Duplex Printing, get in touch with Formax at 866-367-6221 or submit our quote request form. We can assist with just about any type of print projects you may have.
Take care! Rick
