Should Thesis Be Printed Double Sided?

What's happening with thesis printing rules

Here's the thing: universities love their rules. When it comes to printing your thesis, those rules often include exact margin requirements and whether pages should print on one or both sides. Double-sided printing saves paper and looks neat, but it can throw off alignment if your margins aren't spot-on. Even in 2026, schools like MIT and Harvard still push single-sided printing for final copies. There's a good reason—double-sided printing can weaken soft-bound spines over time, especially with thermal glue binding. Honestly, this is one case where following the rules saves you from headaches later. Always check your university's latest formatting guide before hitting print.

How to print your thesis correctly

1. Check your university's requirements first: Head to your institution's thesis submission portal (for example, Stanford's guide) to confirm their margin and printing rules. Most U.S. PhD programs want single-sided final copies, though drafts often allow double-sided printing.
2. Set your margins properly in Word:
   • Open your thesis document in Microsoft Word.
   • Navigate to Layout → Margins → Custom Margins.
   • Enter Left: 1.5", Top/Bottom/Right: 1".
   • Only check Mirror Margins if your binding requires it—which is rare for final copies.
3. Enable double-sided printing in your printer settings:
   • Go to File → Print.
   • In Printer Properties, look for Duplex Printing.
   • Choose Long-edge binding (the standard for books).
   • No duplex option? Print odd pages first, flip the stack, then print even pages.
4. Verify your page numbers: After printing, check that page numbers appear in the outer corners. In Word, use Insert → Page Number → Bottom of Page → Plain Number 2 for proper alignment.
5. Use the right paper weight: For drafts, 100 g/m² paper works fine. Final copies? Go with 120 g/m². Thicker paper prevents show-through and makes binding easier.

Still having printing problems?

Alignment issues persisting? Don't panic. Here's what actually helps:

• Print from a PDF instead: Export your document first to avoid formatting shifts. In Word, go to File → Export → Create PDF/XPS. Then print the PDF using Adobe Acrobat's Print → Booklet setting for duplex printing.
• Update your printer drivers: Old drivers often cause duplex errors. On Windows, update via Device Manager → Printers → [Your Printer] → Update Driver. Mac users should check System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
• Try manual flipping: If duplex printing fails, print odd-numbered pages first, flip the stack, then print even pages. Label the stack to keep pages in order.

How to avoid printing disasters altogether

Want to skip the reprint headaches? Prevention is your best friend:

• Build a template: Save a Word template with your university's exact margin settings (1.5" left, 1" others) and page numbering style. Reuse it for future documents.
• Always test print first: Print the first 10 pages double-sided on scrap paper. Check alignment before committing to 200+ pages.
• Order binding covers early: If your thesis needs binding, get a soft-bound cover ($5–$15) from your university bookstore or online (like Staples).
• Use eco-friendly inks: Many universities now require EPA-certified soy-based inks for large print jobs, as of 2026.