Copying a driver’s licence or ID card usually means two trips to the scanner and a page with one side missing. Most HP multifunction printers can put the front and back of an identification card on one sheet in a single job. The steps just depend on your model.
Quick answer
Many HP printers have an ID Copy feature that copies both sides of an ID card, or other small documents, onto one page. On some models it’s a physical button. On others it’s a menu option on the touchscreen. If you want a digital file instead of a printout, use the scan version of the feature, or the HP Smart app.
Find your printer type below and follow the matching steps.
Before you start
- Use the scanner glass, not the automatic document feeder. The feeder is built for full sheets of paper.
- Place the card face down.
- Wipe the glass first. Smudges show up clearly on a small card.
Printers with an ID Copy button
Some HP LaserJet models have a dedicated button. On the LaserJet MFP M232–M237 series, for example, you place the card on the glass, close the lid and press the ID Copy button. A light on the panel flashes during the job to remind you to flip the card for the second side. The printer then prints both sides together.
Touchscreen printers (OfficeJet Pro and similar)
- On the control panel, choose Copy.
- Select ID Card.
- Press Copy.
- Place the card on the glass when the screen asks you to.
- When prompted, flip the card and continue.
HP support staff describe this same flow for the OfficeJet Pro 9025: the printer scans one side, asks you to turn the card over, then prints both sides on one sheet. On some models the option appears as an ID Copy switch in the Copy menu rather than an ID Card button. The OfficeJet Pro 8620 works this way and it asks you to flip the card after the first side.
HP business printers (LaserJet Enterprise, PageWide Enterprise)
Business models call the feature 2-sided ID Copy. On a touchscreen panel, follow these steps:
- Touch Copy, then Options in the lower left corner.
- Touch Scan Mode, then 2-sided ID Copy, then Done.
- Place the card face down in the rear left corner of the glass, with the top of the card along the left edge.
- Touch Scan for the front.
- Turn the card over and touch Scan again.
- Set the number of copies and touch Copy.
Do you want a file instead of a printout? HP’s support page for these printers explains that the Copy feature prints the combined page, while the Scan feature saves it or sends it to another destination. The scan version follows the same pattern: select 2-sided ID Copy under Scan Mode, scan one side, turn the card over and scan again. Older FutureSmart 3 panels label it 2-sided ID Scan instead and you find it by selecting More Options. HP publishes the full set of steps for each panel type on its Copy or scan both sides of an identification card support page.
Scanning from your computer or phone with HP Smart
If your printer has no ID feature, or you’d rather save a PDF or image, the HP Smart app can do it. Open the app, tap Scan, choose Scanner Glass or Camera as the source, then pick ID Card as the Advanced Preset on a computer, or from the scan-type carousel on a phone. Scan the front, then repeat for the back and the app combines both sides into one file.
If your printer has no ID option
Older and entry-level models, such as the LaserJet M1005, may not offer any of the above. HP community answers suggest two workarounds. You can copy the first side, put the printout back on the glass and copy the second side onto the same page. Or you can scan each side as its own image and place both on one page. It’s slower, but it works on almost any printer.
Keep your ID copies safe
An ID scan holds a lot of personal detail. Take the printout out of the tray straight away and save digital copies somewhere secure rather than leaving them on a shared drive or in a scanner’s job storage.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my printer only print one side?
Most likely the second scan didn’t happen. Wait for the flip prompt, turn the card over and confirm the second scan before the job prints.
Can I save both sides as a single PDF?
Yes. Use the scan version of the feature on a business printer, or the ID Card preset in HP Smart.
I can’t find ID Copy on my printer. What now?
Menu names vary by model and some printers don’t have the feature at all. Check your model’s user guide on HP’s support site. If you’re still stuck, use the workaround above.
Need a hand with your office printers?
If you’re setting up scanning for a team, or you can’t track down the right option on your HP printer, QPC Group can help. We supply and support HP, Xerox, Lexmark and Epson devices and you can submit a support ticket, contact us or call (08) 9303 3888. If your business scans paper records regularly, our Document Flow service can help you move to a digital workflow. You’ll find more printer guides on our Technical Resources page.