How to persuade Thunderbird to print single sided

The default way of printing in DAMTP is duplex (double sided). To setup Thunderbird to print single follow these steps.

  • Setting the program to use guiprint

  • When selecting the printer select the printer called Postscript/default . This printer is at the end of the list of printers. Another way to select it is by pressing the up-arrow.
  • Select Properties
  • A new window will appear called Printer Properties. Replace the value (if any) in the Print Command field with 
             /opt/damtp/bin-share/guiprint
    This instructs Thunderbird to use a special program for printing. At the moment this program is called kprinter.
  • Select Okay, this will bring you back to the original print dialog box. Select print.

  • Setting kprinter for single sided printing

  • Selecting print will bring up a new window called kprinter. This is where you set your printer options. Make sure the Print system currently used box is set to CUPS (Common Unix Print System) . Select a printer name from the Name menu and select Properties.
  • Inside Properties you can (finally) select single sided printing. This is done by changing the Duplex Printing value to None.
  • Select Save to avoid having to go through setting up kprinter next time.
  • Select Okay , this brings you back to the kprinter box and select print. Your document should now print.

Next time you wish to print single sided. Select the Postscript/default printer, and then Print from the same menu.