How to Print Double-Sided on Canva

Canva prepares the design, but the actual double-sided printing is usually controlled by your printer or the print dialog on your computer. Before you start, check that your printer supports duplex printing, or be ready to feed the pages through twice. For cards, flyers, or other pieces with a specific front and back, test one sheet before printing the full set.

What You’ll Need

A Canva design with the front and back arranged as separate pages.
A printer with enough paper and ink or toner, plus paper suitable for the design.
Access to the printer’s settings, either from Canva’s print flow or from a downloaded PDF.
One spare sheet for checking orientation and alignment.

Step-by-Step

Make a two-page design. Open your project in Canva and place the front on page one and the back on page two. Use the same page size and orientation for both. For a card or flyer, keep text and important graphics away from the edges so they are less likely to be trimmed or obscured.
Check page order and orientation. Confirm that page one is the intended front and page two is the intended back. Review both pages at full size, and make sure the back is not rotated unexpectedly. For a folded or landscape design, consider how the sheet will be held and turned over when read.
Choose how you will print. If you are using Canva’s print option, follow the prompts and check whether the available product and settings support your intended two-sided layout. For printing on your own printer, downloading a PDF is often the clearest route: choose the PDF print option and include both pages. The exact labels and menu locations may differ slightly by Canva version.
Open the print dialog. Open the PDF and select Print. Choose the correct printer, paper size, and orientation. Make sure the page range includes both the front and back, and check the preview to confirm that two pages will print in the intended order. The options may differ slightly depending on your computer, PDF app, and printer driver.
Turn on two-sided printing. In the printer settings, look for an option such as “Print on both sides,” “Two-sided,” or “Duplex.” Select it if available. Choose the flip direction that matches the layout: “long edge” is commonly used for pages that turn like a book, while “short edge” is commonly used for pages that flip upward, such as a notepad. Names and choices vary by printer, so use its instructions if the preview is unclear.
Print one test sheet. Print a single copy before sending a larger job. Check that the front and back are upright when you turn the sheet the way the finished item will be used. Also check alignment, margins, color, and whether the paper feeds and exits correctly. If the back is upside down, change the flip edge and test again.
Print the full job or feed manually. If the test looks right, print the remaining copies. If no duplex option is available, print the front pages first, then reload the printed sheets according to the printer’s feed direction and print the back pages. Run a single-sheet test to learn which side faces up and which edge enters first before printing the rest.

Common Mistakes

Designing both sides on one page: A standard two-sided print needs a front page and a back page in the file. Keep them as separate Canva pages rather than placing both sides together unless the print provider specifically asks for that layout.
Choosing the wrong flip edge: This can make the back appear upside down. Test long-edge and short-edge flipping with one sheet, turning it as the finished piece would be turned.
Printing only the first page: Check the page range and print preview. Both pages must be included, in the correct sequence.
Assuming Canva controls every printer setting: Canva may hand the file to a print service or your device’s print dialog. Duplex availability and the location of the setting depend on the printer, driver, and print method.
Skipping the paper-feed test: Manual duplex printing can reverse or rotate the second side if the stack is reloaded incorrectly. Test one sheet and note which way it must face.

Tips

Use a PDF when you need predictable page order and sizing, and inspect the PDF before printing.
Set the print scale to the intended size. Avoid options such as “fit” or “shrink” if they would change the dimensions of a precisely sized design; check the preview and printer settings.
For a design that must line up on both sides, keep essential text away from the edges and allow for minor printer alignment differences.
Use the same paper size and orientation for both pages. Load paper that the printer supports, especially if it is heavier than ordinary copy paper.
Save the final Canva file and the exported PDF with clear names so you can tell which version is ready to print.

Troubleshooting

The back is upside down: Change the duplex flip setting from long edge to short edge, or vice versa, then print one test sheet. For manual printing, rotate the stack as needed based on the printer’s paper-feed instructions.

Only one side prints: Check that duplex printing is enabled in the printer dialog, not just in the design. Confirm that the selected printer supports automatic duplexing. If it does not, use manual reloading.

The two sides do not line up: Confirm that both Canva pages use the same dimensions and orientation. Check the PDF preview and print scale. Some printers cannot align front and back perfectly, so keep borders and small text away from the edges.

The second side is blank or has the wrong design: Verify the page order and that the print range includes both pages. If printing manually, make sure you reloaded the printed sheets in the correct direction and sent the back page in the matching order.

The print dialog has no duplex option: Check the printer’s own preferences or driver settings; the control may be outside the PDF app. If the printer does not offer two-sided printing, print one side, reload the paper using the manufacturer’s instructions, and print the other side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print double-sided directly from Canva?

Possibly, depending on the print option and printer available. For a home or office printer, Canva generally supplies the design and the printer settings determine whether it prints on both sides.

How do I set up the front and back in Canva?

Create two pages at the same size: put the front on the first page and the back on the second. Check the orientation and order before downloading or printing.

Which setting should I choose: long edge or short edge?

Long-edge flipping suits pages turned like a book; short-edge flipping suits pages flipped upward. The right choice depends on how the finished sheet will be held, so test one copy.

Can I print double-sided if my printer does not support duplexing?

Yes, if the printer allows paper to be reloaded. Print the first side, reload the sheet following the printer’s feed guidance, and print the second side. Test with one sheet first.

Why does my back page appear in the wrong place?

Check that the Canva pages are in front-then-back order and that the print dialog includes both pages. For manual duplex printing, check the order in which the sheets are reloaded and printed.

Sources: Canva Help Center. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.