What Does Collate Mean When Printing?
Collate means the printer prints each copy as a complete set, in page order, before starting the next one. Three copies of a four-page document come out 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. Uncollated prints every copy of page 1 first, then page 2: 1-1-1, 2-2-2, and so on.
By Printer Test Page LabLast updated
See collated vs uncollated
Change the numbers to see the order the sheets come out of the printer.
Either way, the printer prints 12 sheets. Only the order changes.
Collated
1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4
- Copy 11234
- Copy 21234
- Copy 31234
Uncollated
1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3, 4-4-4
- Page 1111
- Page 2222
- Page 3333
- Page 4444
What is the difference between collated and uncollated?
Both print the same pages. The only difference is the order. Collated output comes out in sets, ready to hand out. Uncollated output comes out in stacks of the same page.[1][2][3]
| Collated | Uncollated | |
|---|---|---|
| Order (3 copies of 3 pages) | 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 | 1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3 |
| Comes out as | Complete sets | Stacks of each page |
| Good for | Handouts, reports, booklets, anything stapled | Single-page flyers, sorting or binding by hand |
| Pages, paper and ink | Same | Same |
| Speed | Can take longer to start[4] | Starts as soon as page 1 is ready |
Where is the collate setting?
Most print windows show a Collate or Collated option next to the number of copies. It usually only matters once you print more than one copy.
| Where you print from | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Word, PowerPoint, Excel (Microsoft 365) | File > Print > Settings, then Collated or Uncollated[5] |
| Mac (any app) | Print dialog > Paper Handling > Collate Sheets[6] |
| Brother driver (Windows) | Printing Preferences > Basic tab > Copies, then Collate[7] |
| Canon inkjet driver (Windows) | Printing Preferences > Page Setup tab > Collate[8] |
| Epson driver (Windows) | Copies, with Collated and Reverse Order beside it[9] |
| Mac or Linux command line | lp -n 3 -o collate=true file.pdf[10] |
On a Mac, Collate Sheets makes each copy print in full before the next starts.[11] In Microsoft 365 apps, the same Settings list also offers two-sided printing and stapled sets when the printer supports them.[12] The CUPS command line on Mac and Linux does not collate unless you ask for it.[10]
Why are my copies coming out in the wrong order?
Usually because copies and collate are set in two places. If your app has its own copies or collate option, Brother says it usually overrides the printer driver’s setting.[13] Canon warns that setting copies in both the app and the driver can multiply the number of copies or ignore the print order.[14] Set the number of copies and Collate in the app’s print window only, and leave the driver at one copy.
If the pages come out collated but last page first, look for Reverse Order (Epson), Print from Last Page (Canon) or Sheet Order (Mac) next to the collate option.[9][8][6]
Does collating make printing slower?
It can. Brother explains that for a collated job the printer processes all the print data before it starts printing,[4] so the first page may take longer to appear. For a few pages you won’t notice. For a long document with many copies, an uncollated job starts sooner.
Questions people ask
Should I print collated or uncollated?
Print collated when each person needs a complete copy, such as handouts, reports or booklets. Print uncollated when you want piles of the same page, for example to hand out page 1 to a group, or when you will sort or bind the pages yourself.
Is collated or uncollated faster?
Uncollated can be quicker to start. Brother says collated jobs take longer because the printer processes all the print data before it starts printing. For short documents the difference is usually small.
Why is my printer not collating?
Usually because the setting is chosen in two places that disagree. Brother notes an app’s own copies or collate option usually overrides the driver, and Canon warns that setting copies in both the app and the driver can multiply the copies or ignore the order. Set copies and collate in one place only.
Does collating use more paper or ink?
No. Collated and uncollated jobs print exactly the same pages. Only the order the sheets come out in is different.
Sources
- [1] Make a Collated or Uncollated Copy, or Modify the Default Collated / Uncollated Setting (Xerox Support)Collated means each complete set prints before the next one starts: 3 copies of a 4-page document come out 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4.
- [2] Make a Collated or Uncollated Copy, or Modify the Default Collated / Uncollated Setting (Xerox Support)Uncollated means every copy of page 1 prints, then every copy of page 2, and so on: 1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3, 4-4-4.
- [3] Collate Copies (Xerox Support)Xerox describes collated output as sets (1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3) and uncollated output as stacks (1,1,1 2,2,2 3,3,3).
- [4] Adjust the default preferences of my printer driver (Windows) (Brother Support)Brother says collated jobs take longer: the printer processes all the print data before it starts printing.
- [5] Print your handouts, notes, or slides (Microsoft Support)In Microsoft 365 apps such as PowerPoint, the choice is under File > Print > Settings: pick Collated or Uncollated, then enter the number of copies.
- [6] Choose print options before you print on Mac (Apple Support)In the macOS Print dialog, Collate Sheets sits under Paper Handling, next to Sheets to Print (all, odd or even) and Sheet Order (normal or reverse).
- [7] Configure the default printer settings - Windows (Brother USA Support)In Brother's Windows driver (Basic tab), Copies sets 1 to 999 copies; with Collate checked, one full copy prints and then repeats.
- [8] Setting the Number of Copies and Printing Order (Canon)In Canon's inkjet driver (Page Setup tab), check Collate to keep each copy's pages together; uncheck it to group pages with the same number. Print from Last Page reverses the order.
- [9] Selecting Basic Print Settings - Windows (Epson)Epson's Windows driver puts Copies, Reverse Order and Collated together for printing several copies in order.
- [10] Command-Line Printing and Options (OpenPrinting CUPS)On macOS and Linux command lines (CUPS), copies are not collated by default; add -o collate=true to lp or lpr.
- [11] Print settings on Mac (Apple Support)On a Mac, Collate Sheets makes each copy print in full before the next copy starts.
- [12] Print your handouts, notes, or slides (Microsoft Support)If the printer supports them, the same Settings list also offers one-sided or two-sided printing and stapled or unstapled sets.
- [13] Adjust the default preferences of my printer driver (Windows) (Brother Support)If your app has its own copies or collate option, it usually overrides the printer driver's setting.
- [14] Setting the Number of Copies and Printing Order (Canon)Set copies and collation in one place only. Canon warns that setting them in both the app and the driver can multiply the copy count or ignore the print order.
Checked 2026-10-13.