How to Use Advanced Printer Features in Windows
This guide will walk you through how to access and use the advanced finishing features of the new printers, such as hole punching, stapling, and folding, directly from your Windows computer.
Step 1: Open the Print Menu
Begin by opening the document you wish to print. This can be a Word document, a PDF, an email, or a webpage. Once the document is open, open the print menu by pressing Ctrl + P on your keyboard, or by finding the Print option in the application's File menu.
Step 2: Select the Printer and Open Properties
In the print menu that appears, first, make sure the correct new printer is selected from the dropdown list.
Next, to access the advanced features, you must open the printer's specific settings menu. Look for a button labeled "Printer Properties," "Properties," or "Preferences." Clicking this will open a new window that contains all the detailed settings for the printer.
Step 3: Navigate the Finishing Options
The new window is the printer's own driver software. The layout will be specific to the printer model, but you are looking for a tab or section that is typically called "Finishing," "Output," or "Main."
Inside this section, you will find a variety of options to control how your document is handled after it's printed. You can now select the features you need:
Staple: Look for an option like "Staple" or "Finishing." You can often choose the position, such as "Top Left Corner" or "Double Left."
Hole Punch: This option may be labeled "Punch" or "Hole Punch." You can typically choose between two or three holes.
Folding: If the printer supports it, you will find options for "Folding," which may include "Half-Fold" (for booklets) or other business folds.
2-Sided Printing: This is often called "Duplex Printing." You can choose to flip the page on the long edge (like a book) or the short edge (like a notepad).
Booklet Creation: Some printers have a dedicated "Booklet" layout option that will automatically arrange the pages, often used in combination with folding and stapling.
Step 4: Apply and Print
Once you have selected all your desired settings, click "OK" to close the Printer Properties window. You will be returned to the main print dialog. Click "Print" to send the job to the printer with all your chosen finishing options applied.
This guide covers the essentials for Windows users.