Double Sided Printing Tool 

The Double Sided Printing tool prepares A/B sides for duplex production within a PrintFactory workflow. It pairs pages into front (A) and back (B) sides, applies the chosen handling method (Turn or Tumble), can mirror the B-side, optionally adjusts B-side density, and can split A/B into separate jobs.

Overview

Use this step whenever a job needs duplex output (front/back) or when the back side is derived from the front. The step sets the imposition’s sheet method, wires pages into A/B counterparts, optionally mirrors B-side pages, and (if selected) applies a tone curve to reduce B-side density. If you need separate output for each side, enable Split A/B pages to create two jobs—one for A and one for B.

Opening the Tool

1. Open the Workflow Editor.
2. Add or select Double Sided Printing.
3. Click Configure to open the dialog.

Double Sided Printing Setup Dialog

The dialog contains a Static tab for persistent settings (shown below) and a Variable tab for workflow variables (if used).

Handling

Defines how sheets are flipped between A and B:

• Turn — The sheet is turned around the long edge (long-edge binding).
• Tumble — The sheet is tumbled around the short edge (short-edge binding).

B-side

• AB — Alternates document pages A/B: even pages become A, odd pages become B, automatically pairing facing sides.
• Copy A — Creates a B-side by copying each A-side. Use when the back should be the same artwork as the front (e.g., for mirrored decals or when the design supplies only A).

Mirror B side

When enabled, the B-side content is mirrored horizontally. This is useful for back printing where a mirrored back aligns with the front after mounting or flipping.

B-side Density

Controls the output intensity of the B-side. Values are percentages:

• 100% — No tone adjustment (default).
• < 100% — Applies a tone curve to reduce B-side density proportionally. (Applied only when the value is greater than 0% and less than 100%.)

Split A/B pages

Generates two separate jobs—one for A and one for B—so you can route each side independently (e.g., to different queues or devices).

How It Works

1. Page pairing — The tool inspects the job’s imposition. If B-side = AB, it assigns A/B per page order (even → A, odd → B). If B-side = Copy A, it duplicates each A-side as a new B-side counterpart.
2. Mirroring — If Mirror B side is enabled, B-side parts are mirrored.
3. Sheet method — Sets the sheet handling for all parts to Turn or Tumble so downstream steps/devices interpret page orientation correctly.
4. Split A/B — If enabled, A and B sides are flagged so the workflow generates two jobs (one per side) for separate processing/output.
5. B-side density curve — If the density value is between 0% and 100%, the step writes a tone correction curve for B-side output. The curve keeps 0% at 0 and maps 100% to the selected percentage, reducing overall density while maintaining gradation.

Using in Workflows

1. Place Double Sided Printing after page assembly/layout steps and before Trim&Bleed and output/finishing.
2. Select the Handling method that matches your finishing (Turn or Tumble).
3. Choose B-side behavior (AB or Copy A).
4. (Optional) Enable Mirror B side for mirrored backs.
5. (Optional) Set B-side Density if the backside must run lighter than the front.
6. (Optional) Enable Split A/B pages if you need separate jobs for each side.
7. Click OK and run the workflow.

Tips & Best Practices

• Choose AB when your source PDF contains sequential facing pages for duplex; choose Copy A when only A is supplied.
• For backlit or layered applications, combine Copy A with Mirror B side as required by mounting.
• Use a small sample to validate B-side Density before production.
• Enable Split A/B pages if front and back need different queues, media, or devices.
  
• Double Sided Printing must be placed before Trim&Bleed because Trim & Bleed should know if double sided printing is done the generate the correct output.

Summary

Double Sided Printing automates duplex preparation: it pairs pages, mirrors the back when needed, applies the correct handling (Turn/Tumble), optionally lowers B-side density, and can split front/back into separate jobs. Configure once, and the step reliably produces cutter/printer‑ready A/B output across your workflow.