When it comes to printers, there are basically two ways to make a sheet of paper. You can either flip the sheet of paper as you print on it, or you can continue printing on the same side. The first method is called “flipping over” or “flipping long edge,” and the second method is called “flipping short edge.”
So, What’s the Difference?
Flip On Short Edge is a printing option that you can use when printing pages in Landscape mode. When you want to print your document in landscape mode, you can choose to apply the Flip On Short Edge setting to your pages. This will cause each page to be printed with the short edge at the front of the paper.
Flip On long edge is typically made when printing pages in portrait mode. When you want to print your document in portrait mode, you can choose to apply the Flip On Long Edge setting to your pages. This will cause each page to be printed with the long edge at the front of the paper.
What Is Flip On Short Edge?
Flip On Short Edge is a printing option that you can use when printing pages in Landscape mode. This means that the document will print double-sided, and the pages will flip on the short side of the sheet.
The short edge is also called “short side,” “short-edge binding,” and “creasing.” It’s a great option for brochures, catalogs and more!
What is Flip On Long Edge?
If you want your document to print double-sided, but you’d like the pages to flip on the long edge, then Flip on Long Edge is the option for you (typically made when printing pages in portrait mode).
Flip on the long edge means that when this option is selected, all pages will be printed double-sided and then folded in half along their long edge. This creates a book like with two pages facing each other.
Takeaway
The short answer is that it doesn’t matter. Ultimately, size isn’t everything. While the long edge is more popular than the short edge in the consumer market, that’s not always the case in other markets (for instance, some print products are published to a short edge format and distributed that way). The key point is this: choose wisely based on what matters to you and your audience. If you’re publishing a magazine, it may make sense for you to use a long edge format, but if you want to print brochures or postcards, using the short edge will work best — and vice versa.