Start with the sheet going in
Lena turned the top sheet over and held it there for Jules. Both sides belonged in the copy. Her small document packs kept presenting the same job, and she wanted a machine that could take the originals through without asking her to turn each one.
Her current printer still worked. It was a print-only machine, useful for its ordinary work and unable to make these copies. Lena usually liked to borrow before buying another appliance. This time, she needed to know what to ask for in a loan as well as what to look for on a product page.
The word duplex was easy to find. On the Brother MFC-L3720CDW, it describes automatic two-sided printing. Brother separately lists duplex scanning as unavailable. Having a feeder on top does not make that feeder read both faces.
The US Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II has a single-pass two-sided automatic document feeder, or ADF. Its touchscreen also offers two-sided-to-two-sided copying. Together, those features cover the input and output Lena wants: both faces of the originals read automatically, then monochrome copies printed on both faces. She can run that copy job from the printer’s controls without setting up a computer or cloud connection.
Paper and settings still matter
Lena’s packs have at most ten same-size Letter originals, with matching blank stock, all 21 lb bond / 80 gsm. The black-text originals need ordinary margins and dry, flat sheets without staples, clips, folds, tears, glue or wet ink. Fan and align them, load face up, adjust the guides and stay below the feeder limit.
Register the drawer’s blank paper as Letter, Plain 2. Choose Copy, the paper source, 100% scale and copy count. Select 2-Sided to 2-Sided, matching original orientation and opening types to the originals and desired copies, then Start. Check completeness, especially near edges. Books, fragile sheets and other unsuitable originals need separate glass handling.
The Canon includes toner 070 and a power cord. It needs ordinary setup, compatible grounded 110–127 V AC, 60 Hz power and a stable surface with at least 4 inches / 100 mm around it, plus room to operate the trays and feeder. Lena and Jules had agreed on a separate work area. The meal-preparation surface would stay clear.
A feature worth checking before a loan
That made the current US MF465dw II, model 7188C006, Lena’s buying choice if the final total fitted her $320 limit. The new Amazon offer checked on October 4, 2026 was $302.01. It left $17.99 for any tax and shipping. She would check the full total before ordering and defer if it went over, without adding Jules’s money to the plan.
A genuinely available copier with the right feeder could still make borrowing sensible. Manual handling at a copying service remained an option too.
Lena told Jules she would ask about that feeder before arranging a loan. She returned the loose originals to their folder. Her existing printer could carry on with the work it already did.
When this does not matter
Your originals are one-sided, or you are happy to turn them manually. Automatic two-sided original handling then adds little to this task.
The practical fix
- Check automatic two-sided original scanning as well as duplex printing. For this monochrome Letter job, the US MF465dw II has both.
- Prepare supported originals and output stock, then follow the loading and touchscreen settings above for two-sided-to-two-sided copies.
- Allow the required power, placement and operating space. Check the finished pages for missing edge content.
- Confirm the complete purchase price before ordering. Lena’s personal ceiling is $320 including tax and shipping.
This applies if…
- You want both faces of supported loose originals copied automatically onto two-sided sheets, using the printer’s own controls.
The answer changes if…
- Your originals are books, fragile or unsupported sheets, or you need color copies.
- The machine will not fit the available setup or the complete price exceeds your budget.
The source notes
- Canon imageCLASS MF465dw II features and contentsCanon · MF465dw II features and In the box. · Checked 2026-10-04
- Canon MF465dw II US user guideCanon · US MF465dw II / MF462dw II user guide. Printed pages 20–21 (PDF 30–31), paper. Pages 27–29 (PDF 37–39), power and feeder. Pages 135–137 (PDF 145–147), originals. Pages 319–323 (PDF 329–333), copy settings. · Checked 2026-10-04
- Brother MFC-L3720CDW specificationsBrother · US printing, scanning and copying specifications for MFC-L3720CDW. · Checked 2026-10-04
What to check in your own setup
- This is a monochrome copying choice. Color output needs a different decision.
- Feed reliability, speed, noise and perfect edge reproduction are not promised.
- A suitable loan or manual copying may make a new purchase unnecessary.
Spotted something that needs a second look? Leave a correction for this story.
