How to Make Copies on a Printer (HP, Canon, Epson & Brother): Step by Step

Quick answer: To make a copy on a printer, place the original face down on the scanner glass with its top corner on the arrow mark (or face up in the document feeder), choose Copy on the printer's control panel, set the number of copies and color or black and white, then press Start. You need an all-in-one printer with a scanner. No computer, phone or Wi-Fi is required.

Updated November 5, 2026 · By Lauren Elward, Castle Ink

Key Takeaways

• Only all-in-one (multifunction) printers can copy. If there's no scanner glass or document feeder, it's a print-only model.
• Glass = face down, top corner on the arrow. Document feeder = face up, top edge first on most models.
• The Copy button or icon is on the printer itself. Pick Black/Mono Start for black and white or Color Start for color.
• Copy settings cover the number of copies, size (Fit to Page, 25%–400%), darkness, paper type and 2-sided copying.
• ID Card Copy puts both sides of a license or insurance card on one page.
• Blank copies usually mean the original is upside down. Streaks on feeder copies usually mean a dirty scanning strip.

Can My Printer Make Copies?

Your printer can make copies if it has a scanner: a lift-up lid with glass underneath, an automatic document feeder (ADF) tray on top, or both. These are sold as all-in-one, multifunction (MFP or MFC) or "print, scan, copy" printers. Brother models starting with MFC or DCP copy; most HL models are print-only. HP DeskJet, ENVY, OfficeJet and Smart Tank all-in-ones copy, as do Canon PIXMA TS/MG/TR and MAXIFY models and Epson EcoTank, Expression and WorkForce all-in-ones.

No scanner? You can still copy a page with your phone. See making a copy without a scanner below.

How Do You Make a Copy on a Printer, Step by Step?

Making a copy takes under a minute on any brand:

1. Load paper. Put plain letter paper in the main tray and make sure the printer is on with no error lights.
2. Place the original. On the glass, lay it face down and line up its top corner with the arrow or corner mark, then close the lid. In the document feeder, stack the pages face up with the top edge going in first and slide the guides against the edges.
3. Open Copy. Press the Copy button or tap the Copy icon on the touchscreen. On HP touchscreens, choose Document (or ID Card).
4. Choose settings. Set the number of copies, color or black and white, and any resize, darkness or 2-sided options.
5. Press Start. Use Black/Mono Start for black and white or Color Start for color. The printer scans the original, then prints the copy.

Which Way Does the Paper Go When You Copy?

On the scanner glass, the original goes face down, with its top edge against the corner marked by an arrow or "reference mark." In an automatic document feeder, most printers take originals face up, top edge first. A small page icon next to the glass or on the feeder tray shows the exact orientation for your model.

Use the glass for book pages, ID cards, receipts, photos and anything torn, folded or thin. Use the feeder for stacks of loose letter or legal sheets, and remove staples, paper clips and sticky notes first. Our guide to what a document feeder (ADF) is covers what it can and can't handle.

How Do I Make Copies on an HP Printer?

On an HP touchscreen all-in-one (ENVY, OfficeJet, Smart Tank), tap Copy, choose Document or ID Card, set the number of copies and color, then tap Start Black or Start Color. On button-only DeskJets, load the original and press the Start Copy Black or Start Copy Color button; press it more than once on some models to raise the number of copies.

Most HP inkjets with built-in printhead cartridges use HP 67XL (DeskJet 2700/4100 and ENVY 6000 series), HP 64XL (ENVY Photo and Tango) or HP 63XL (older DeskJet, ENVY and OfficeJet 3800/5200). HP's copy instructions also live in the HP Smart app, which can make a copy using your phone's camera.

How Do I Make Copies on a Canon Printer?

On a Canon PIXMA, place the original on the platen glass aligned with the alignment mark, select Copy (or press the Copy button) on the operation panel, set the number of copies, then press the Black button for black and white or the Color button for color. Canon's MG3000 series online manual walks through the same steps. PIXMA models with built-in printhead cartridges, like the MG3000, MX490 and TS3100 series, take Canon PG-245XL black.

How Do I Make Copies on an Epson Printer?

On an Epson EcoTank or Expression all-in-one, place the original, select Copy on the home screen, choose B&W or Color, set the number of copies with the + and – buttons, then press the Start button (the diamond). Epson's copy instructions for the ET-2850 are typical of current models.

How Do I Make Copies on a Brother Printer?

On a Brother MFC or DCP model, load the original, press or tap Copy, enter the number of copies, then press Black (Mono) Start or Color Start. Brother laser all-in-ones like the MFC-L2710DW and DCP-L2550DW use Brother TN760 high-yield toner. Color laser MFPs from HP, like the Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479, use HP 414A.

What Copy Settings Can You Change?

Most all-in-one printers let you change these copy settings before you press Start:

• Number of copies: typically 1 to 99.
• Color or black and white: chosen by the Start button or a setting.
• Resize / Reduce-Enlarge / Zoom: presets such as Fit to Page, Letter to Legal and 4x6 to Letter, plus a custom percentage (often 25% to 400%).
• Darkness or density: lighten a dark original or darken a faint one.
• Quality: Draft or Fast saves ink; Best or Photo looks better on pictures.
• Paper size and type: match what's actually in the tray (letter plain paper, 4x6 photo paper, and so on).
• 2-sided: 1→2 or 2→2 sided on printers with automatic duplex.
• Collate: keeps multi-page copy sets in order. Here's what collate means.

How Do You Make Double-Sided Copies?

To make a double-sided copy, open the copy settings, choose 2-Sided (or Duplex), and pick 1→2 sided for a one-sided original or 2→2 sided for a two-sided original. Copying a two-sided original automatically needs a duplex document feeder. Without auto-duplex, copy side one, put the printed sheet back in the tray (most printers want it printed side up, top edge toward the back), then copy side two. Our double-sided printing guide explains manual duplex in detail.

How Do You Copy Both Sides of an ID Card on One Page?

Use ID Card Copy. Choose Copy > ID Card (HP) or ID Copy / 2in1 ID (Brother), place the card face down at the marked spot on the glass, scan the front, flip the card when the screen prompts you, then scan the back. Both sides print on one sheet. Brother's Copy an ID Card page shows the card position. On printers without the feature, copy the front, flip the card, move it lower on the glass and copy again onto the same sheet.

How Do You Enlarge or Reduce a Copy?

Choose Resize, Reduce/Enlarge or Zoom in the copy settings, then pick a preset or enter a percentage. Fit to Page is the easiest way to copy a small receipt or a 4x6 photo onto a full letter sheet. Custom percentages above 100% enlarge; below 100% reduce. The feeder usually allows a narrower range than the glass.

Do Copies Use Ink?

Yes. A copy uses the same ink or toner as printing that page from a computer. A black-and-white copy draws mostly on black ink or toner, and a color copy uses every color. To stretch your supply:

• Press Black/Mono Start for anything that doesn't need color.
• Choose Draft or Eco quality for everyday copies.
• Use XL or remanufactured cartridges to bring the cost per page down. See which settings actually save ink.

Some printers refuse to copy, even in black, when one cartridge reads empty. Replace it or see how to handle low-ink warnings.

Can You Make a Copy Without a Scanner?

Yes. Scan the page with your phone, then print the scan. On an iPhone, use the built-in document scanner in Notes or Files (here's how to scan a document on an iPhone). On Android, use the scan feature in Google Drive. Printer apps like HP Smart also offer a camera-based copy. Lay the page flat in good light and crop tight to the edges for a clean result. If you have no printer at all, libraries and shipping or office stores have self-service copiers.

Why Won't My Printer Copy?

When an all-in-one won't copy, the cause is almost always one of these. Work down the list:

1. Error on the screen. A paper jam, empty tray, open lid or empty cartridge blocks copying. Clear it first.
2. Original placed wrong. Face up on the glass produces a blank copy. Flip it face down.
3. Ink problem. If copies and computer prints are blank or faded, the problem is ink, not the scanner. See why a printer prints blank pages and how to tell an empty cartridge from a clogged one.
4. Scanner problem. If computer prints are fine but copies fail, the scanner side has an issue. See why a scanner stops working while the printer still prints.
5. Restart. Turn the printer off with its power button, unplug it for 60 seconds, then try again.

Why Are My Copies Coming Out Blank, Dark or Streaky?

• Blank copies: the original is face up, or a cartridge is empty or clogged. Run a print-quality or nozzle check to tell which.
• Too dark or too light: adjust the Darkness or Density setting, and make sure the lid closes flat.
• Vertical lines only on feeder copies: clean the narrow scanning strip to the left of the main glass. A single speck there draws a line down every page.
• Spots or smudges in the same place: clean the main glass and the white pad under the lid with a lint-free cloth lightly sprayed with glass cleaner.
• Lines on copies and prints: the printer side is at fault. See laser printer streaks and lines or inkjet streaks.
• Edges cut off: the original isn't aligned to the corner mark, or the paper size setting doesn't match the tray (A4 vs letter). Fit to Page fixes most cut-off copies.

Is It Cheaper to Make Copies at Home?

For everyday black-and-white copies, copying at home is usually cheaper, especially with XL or remanufactured cartridges. Store self-service copiers often cost more per page, and color costs more still. For hundreds of pages, booklets, or oversized prints, a print shop is easier. If you copy a lot, an all-in-one with an automatic document feeder saves a lot of time. Our list of the best all-in-one printers covers the top picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a copy on my printer?

Lift the scanner lid, place the original face down on the glass with its top corner on the arrow mark, close the lid, choose Copy on the control panel, set the number of copies and color or black and white, then press Start. The printer scans the page and prints it in one step, no computer needed.

Can every printer make copies?

No. Only all-in-one (multifunction) printers have the scanner needed to copy. A print-only model has no glass or document feeder. If yours can't copy, scan the page with your phone and print the scan, or use a library, UPS Store, FedEx Office or Staples copier.

Do copies use ink?

Yes. A copy uses the same ink or toner as printing that page from a computer. Black-and-white copies mostly draw on black ink or toner; color copies use all colors. Draft or eco copy modes and the Black/Mono Start button stretch your supply.

How do I make a double-sided copy?

Look for a 2-Sided or Duplex option in the copy settings and choose 1→2 sided (one-sided original to a two-sided copy) or 2→2 sided. Printers without automatic duplex will ask you to flip and reload the page, or you can copy side one, put the printed sheet back in the tray and copy side two.

How do I copy both sides of an ID card onto one page?

Use the ID Card Copy feature (HP calls it ID Card, Brother calls it ID Copy or 2-in-1 ID). Place the card on the glass at the marked spot, scan the front, flip the card when prompted, scan the back, and the printer prints both sides on one sheet.

How do I enlarge or shrink a copy?

Open the copy settings and choose Resize, Reduce/Enlarge or Zoom. Most home all-in-ones offer presets such as Fit to Page, Letter to Legal or 4x6 to Letter, plus a custom percentage, usually between 25% and 400% on the glass.

Why is my printer copying blank pages?

The most common cause is the original placed face up on the glass. Next, check for an empty or clogged ink cartridge by printing a test page from the computer. If computer prints are fine but copies are blank, the scanner itself is the problem.

Why do my copies have lines or streaks?

Vertical lines that appear only on copies from the document feeder come from dust, toner or correction fluid on the narrow scanning strip beside the main glass. Wipe that strip and the main glass with a soft, lint-free cloth lightly dampened with glass cleaner (spray the cloth, never the glass).

Can I make a copy without a scanner?

Yes. Photograph or scan the page with your phone (iPhone Notes or Files, Google Drive's scan feature, or your printer brand's app), then print it. HP Smart includes a camera-based Copy feature for this, and many other printer apps offer a similar scan-then-print option.

Is it cheaper to copy at home or at a store?

For a handful of black-and-white pages at home with XL or remanufactured cartridges, you pay a few cents a page. Store self-service copiers often charge more per page, especially for color. For big jobs, bound booklets or oversized prints, a print shop is usually easier.

Keep Your All-in-One Stocked

Castle Ink has sold remanufactured ink and compatible toner since 2005, with more than 100,000 customers and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Orders placed by 4 PM ET Monday through Friday ship the same day, and shipping is free over $50. Find your exact cartridge on Find Ink by Printer, or see the Printer Troubleshooting Center for more fixes.

Sources

• Canon: MG3000 series online manual: Making Copies on Plain Paper
• Canon: MG5500 series online manual: Making Copies
• Epson: How do I copy a document or photo using my product's control panel? (ET-2850)
• Brother: Copy an ID Card (MFC-J6959DW online user's guide)
• HP Support Community: How do I make copies from my printer?