Dissertations aren’t automatically printed double-sided; most universities require single-sided printing unless they explicitly allow otherwise
What’s going on here?
Most universities still require dissertations to be printed single-sided, even when the text is double-spaced
Double-spaced text makes reviewers’ lives easier, but double-sided printing creates real headaches with binding, copying, and margin notes. Binding needs that extra 1.5-inch left margin so text doesn’t vanish into the spine. The APA style guide pushes the same requirement—clear margins for photocopying, scanning, and binding—and most U.S. and U.K. graduate schools follow suit as of 2026. Your safest bet? Check your university’s formatting guide before you hit print. (Honestly, this is the best approach.)
According to the American Psychological Association, clear margins are essential for readability and archival quality in academic documents, and many universities align their formatting policies with APA standards.
How do I fix this?
Set 1.5-inch left margins, use double spacing, and print single-sided to meet most university requirements
Grab your graduate school’s dissertation formatting guide—it’s usually on the graduate studies website. This document spells out margin sizes, fonts, and printing rules that apply to your specific program.
Adjust your document margins:
- In Microsoft Word: Head to Layout → Margins → Custom Margins and plug in these numbers:
| Margin | Measurement (inches) |
|---|
| Left | 1.5 |
| Top | 1.0 |
| Right | 1.0 |
| Bottom | 1.0 |
- Hit Set As Default so every new document starts with these margins. (Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.)
Make the whole document double-spaced: Highlight everything, then go to Home → Line and Paragraph Spacing → 2.0. Skip the “1.5” or “Double” options unless your school explicitly approves them.
Turn off double-sided printing in your settings:
- Windows: Open the print dialog, pick Printer Properties, then choose Print One Sided → Off or disable Two-sided Printing.
- macOS: In the print dialog, expand Copies & Pages → Paper Handling → Pages per Sheet and pick 1-sided.
Preview your print job before you commit. Watch for widows, orphans, and block quotations to confirm everything lines up the way it should.
The APA Style Manual emphasizes the importance of consistent margins and spacing for readability and archival integrity in academic submissions.
Still not working?
If margins or printing keep causing trouble, use the university print shop, export to PDF, or hunt down hidden formatting gremlins
When your document still refuses to cooperate, try these steps in order:
Head to your university’s official print shop—they’re usually near the library or graduate offices. These places specialize in thesis and dissertation printing, offering binding, archival paper, and spot-on margin alignment. Many even offer same-day pickup during busy seasons.
Convert your file to PDF and print from Adobe Acrobat Reader. Open the PDF, go to File → Print → Page Setup → Paper Size → Manage Custom Sizes, and set the left margin to 1.5 inches. Choose Actual Size and make sure Print One Sided is turned on.
Track down sneaky formatting errors: Switch to Word’s View → Draft to spot big gaps or misaligned sections. Run Review → Spelling & Grammar to catch any inconsistencies. Toggle the Show/Hide ¶ button to reveal extra spaces, tabs, or section breaks that might be wrecking your layout.
The American Library Association recommends using PDF exports for final submissions to preserve formatting and ensure consistent printing outcomes.
How can I avoid this mess next time?
Start with a university-approved template, export a print-ready PDF early, and inspect a full-scale print preview before you submit
Want to dodge formatting headaches entirely? Follow these steps:
Download your university’s official dissertation template—it’s usually available in Word or LaTeX. These templates already include the right margins, fonts, headings, and line spacing that match graduate school standards.
Create a print-ready PDF as soon as you start writing. In Word, go to File → Export → Create PDF/XPS and tweak the settings to lock in your layout. That way, you’ll get the same output whether you print at home or at the library.
Add an extra 0.5 inch to the left margin if you’re binding. This “binding allowance” keeps text from disappearing when the dissertation gets bound with a hardcover or coil. Also skip full justification in long documents—it can mess with spacing and make things harder to read.
Keep multiple backups in both .docx and .pdf formats, stored in cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive with version history turned on. That way, if a file gets corrupted, you can roll back to an earlier draft without losing weeks of work.
Ask your advisor or a committee member for a physical print preview. A real printed sample will show alignment issues, font rendering, and margin visibility that your screen preview might miss.
The ALA Guidelines for Thesis and Dissertation Formatting highlight the value of early PDF exports and physical previews to catch formatting issues before final submission.
What’s Happening
Most dissertations should be printed single-sided, even if the text is double-spaced.
Many universities still want dissertations formatted with double-spaced text for readability and notes, but double-sided printing often causes problems. It’s tougher to read, copy, annotate, and bind properly. Binding needs extra room on the left—usually 1.5 inches—to let the spine sit without hiding text. Margins also decide how text lines up when pages sit side-by-side or get bound.
As of 2026, most U.S. and U.K. schools still care about clear, accessible formatting. According to APA Style guidelines, good academic formatting means margins big enough for copying and binding. Always double-check your school’s rules before you hit print.
Step-by-Step Solution
Follow your university’s formatting guide, set 1.5-inch left margins, use double spacing, and print single-sided.
Check your university’s dissertation formatting guide—it’s usually on the graduate school website. Look for rules on margins, spacing, and printing.
Set margins in your document:
- In Microsoft Word: Go to Layout → Margins → Custom Margins. Enter:
| Margin | Measurement |
|---|
| Left | 1.5 inches |
| Top | 1 inch |
| Right | 1 inch |
| Bottom | 1 inch |
- Click Set As Default so future docs start right.
Make sure the text is double-spaced: Under Home → Line and Paragraph Spacing, pick 2.0. Don’t use “Double” or “1.5” unless your school says it’s okay.
Change print settings to single-sided:
- Windows: Open Print → Printer Properties → Print One Sided → Off (or "Print on one side only").
- macOS: In the print box, expand Copies & Pages → Paper Handling → Pages per Sheet and choose 1-sided.
- Most laser printers call it Print on Both Sides → Off or One-sided.
Preview before printing: Use Print Preview to check margins and layout. Watch for widows, orphans, and block quotes—they should be indented with steady spacing.
If This Didn’t Work
Try the university print shop, export as a PDF, or hunt for hidden formatting errors.
Still stuck? Give these a shot:
Use your university’s print shop. Many grad schools team up with on-campus printers that handle margins and binding automatically. They often sell binding with sturdy spines and long-lasting paper.
Export to PDF and print from Adobe Acrobat Reader. Open the PDF, go to File → Print → Page Setup → Paper Size → Manage Custom Sizes, and set the left margin to 1.5 inches. Print using Actual Size and pick Print One Sided.
Look for sneaky formatting mistakes. Switch to Word’s View → Draft to spot big gaps or misaligned text. Run Review → Spelling & Grammar to catch formatting glitches that could mess up printing.
Prevention Tips
Start with a school-approved template, build a print-ready PDF, and always preview before submitting.
Stop problems before they start:
Begin with a university-approved dissertation template. Many schools offer Word or LaTeX templates with the right margins, fonts, and line spacing already set.
Set up a print-ready PDF workflow. In Word, use File → Export → Create PDF/XPS to make a file that prints the same everywhere.
Leave plenty of room on the left margin—never less than 1.5 inches. If you’re binding, add another 0.5 inches to the left for a clean spine. Skip full justification; it’s harder to read in long docs.
Back up your formatted document in both .docx and .pdf. Save them in cloud storage (like OneDrive or Google Drive) with version history turned on.
Always ask for a print preview before you turn in the final copy. Have a peer or advisor look at the printed version for alignment and readability.
Remember: A well-formatted dissertation isn’t just about passing the rules—it’s about making sure your work stays clear, professional, and ready for the future. When in doubt, ask your grad coordinator.
Edited and fact-checked by the TechFactsHub editorial team.
