I can print first-to-last (reverse option). How do get it to stack first-to-last FACE DOWN?

[wkrasl]

I need to print a stack of 420 business checks (3 per sheet, 140 pages total) numbered in ascending check sequence with the checks generated by software I do not control.

I can print onto my blank check stock in correct first-to-last page order.  But the printer stacks this face up so the first page is at the bottom.  That leaves me with the annoying task of manually reversing the order of the sheets.

I cannot find any Ctrl-P print to my 8015e option that tells it to pretend this is two-sided printing with a blank back, which should stack the pages face down.

[Raj2111]

Hi @wkrasl 

Welcome to the HP support community.
 

Here’s how you can work around this to get your pages stacked in the correct order without having to manually flip them after printing:

1. Check Printer Settings for Duplex (Two-Sided) Printing

You may be able to achieve the desired stacking behavior by using two-sided printing (duplex) with a blank backside. This essentially prints on both sides of the page and should result in the pages being stacked face down.

Here's how to enable duplex printing in Windows 11:

Open the Print Dialog:

• In your software, click on File > Print, or press Ctrl + P.

Select the HP OfficeJet 8015e Printer:

• Choose your HP OfficeJet 8015e as the printer.

Open Printer Properties:

• Look for a Printer Properties or Preferences button within the print dialog box (the name might vary depending on the software you're using).

Enable Duplex Printing:

• In the Printer Properties window, look for a Layout or Finishing tab.
• Enable the Two-Sided Printing (Duplex) option. You may have options like "Flip on long edge" or "Flip on short edge."
  • Flip on long edge is generally best for documents like checks, where the page order needs to stay in a readable sequence.

Ensure Page Order:

• If your software generates the checks in sequential order (first to last), enabling duplex printing should stack them correctly face down. The printer will print the front side first, then flip the paper and print on the back, ensuring the pages are in correct order with the back of each page left blank.

Check the "Print on Both Sides" Option:

• When duplex printing is selected, ensure you're not printing actual content on the back side of the paper. The back should remain blank, or your printer will print the content again, potentially disrupting the order of the checks.

2. Reverse Print Order (Manual Workaround)

If duplex printing with a blank back doesn’t achieve the exact results you're looking for, and you don’t want to manually reorder the pages, you can try reversing the print order in your software (if that option is available). Some programs allow you to reverse the order of pages before printing.

3. Print Pages in Reverse Order

• Steps to reverse print order:
  • In the Print settings of your software, check if there’s an option to reverse page order.
  • If so, enable it, and your printer will print the last page first, ensuring that the print stack ends up in the correct order.

4. Using a PDF Editor for Fine Control (If printing directly from the software is problematic)

 manipulating the PDF in a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat. Here's how:

1. Save the Check Printout as a PDF:
   • Use your check printing software to generate the print file, and select the option to Save as PDF.
2. Reverse Page Order in PDF:
   • Open the saved PDF in Adobe Acrobat or a similar PDF editor.
   • Use the Reorder Pages feature to reverse the page order.
3. Print from PDF:
   • Once you’ve reversed the pages, print the PDF using your HP OfficeJet 8015e, ensuring duplex printing is enabled.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
 

-Regards
Raj-HP Support

[Raj2111]

Hi @wkrasl 

Welcome to the HP support community.
 

Please follow the steps from my previous post.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
 

-Regards
Raj-HP Support

[wkrasl]

Thanks Raj2111 but your steps do not work given the constraints I am working with.

Yes my 8015e can print duplex, but I have no control over the order of pages in the PDF created with "Microsoft Print to PDF" generated as a print job from software I have no control over.  PDF page 1 is the first sheet of checks, PDF page 2 is the second sheet, etc.

Although the default for the printer is last to first, I can get the output first to last selecting the Reverse option (which I already did before posting the question).  But they come out face up.

If I choose two-sided printing PDF page 2 will print on the back of PDF page 1, 4 on the back of 3, etc. 

Did I misundertand or miss something in your reply?

[wkrasl]

Given some further thought, with the constraint that the user has zero control of the content being printed which is a protected document with no permissions other than sending it to a printer, it looks like either HP or Microsoft needs to recognize this as an opportunity to provide a different printing option similar to "Reverse". 

While "Reverse" is useful, it is inadequate and should be retired in favor of a checkbox choice that is either "Stack Face Up" or "Stack face down." 

If "Stack Face Up" is chosen then it means to print Last-to-First.  "If "Stack Face Down" is chosen then it means to print First-to-Last.  Either way, if the printer design is to normally stack face down like every LaserJet I have ever owned, or if the printer design is to stack face up like every InkJet printer I have ever owned, then the opposite choice tells the driver to use duplex capability to flip the page even if it is not two-sided printing.

Bottom line, is this an option already available with some unknown advanced printer setting I have overlooked? In the meantime, my personal problem has been solved by locating a LaserJet printer I can use for this once-per-year volunteer task printing Gift Fund checks to be given out to several hundred employees at their Christmas party..

[Raj2111]

Hi @wkrasl 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to assist you.

I've sent you a private message with the instructions. In order to access your private messages, Click the Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link

Take care and have a good day.

-Regards

Raj-HP Support