Printing Coupons - how to disable duplex for *.fdf (e.g., Websaver coupons)

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May 7th, 2022 8:02 pm

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Jan 21st, 2022 8:36 pm

kreisleriana [OP]: Deal Addict; Jun 20, 2009; 1273 posts; 632 upvotes; Edmonton

Jan 21st, 2022 8:36 pm

Printing Coupons - how to disable duplex for *.fdf (e.g., Websaver coupons)

I can't figure out how to get my printer not to print coupons in duplex. My duplex (Brother) printer is my default printer. I can't figure out a way to disable duplex besides doing it in the print dialog. However, when printing out coupons from like Websaver, the .fdf file that you download opens immediately in Adobe Acrobat with the "Do you want to Print" dialog. There is no way to go into settings to prevent the printer from printing coupons on both sides. I just tried and my 6 coupons are back to back, so I can only use half of them.

You can't print fdf files twice.

11 replies

Jan 22nd, 2022 10:47 am

Catenary: Sr. Member; Nov 5, 2018; 556 posts; 643 upvotes

Jan 22nd, 2022 10:47 am

This might not be the answer you're looking for, but does your printer scan and copy as well? If it does, make a copy of each side of the coupon separately. Copying coupons isn't great in general, but you aren't duplicating them in spirit. The .fdf coupons are a pain.

+1

Jan 22nd, 2022 10:50 am

idontknow915: Newbie; Aug 4, 2014; 26 posts; 90 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 22nd, 2022 10:50 am

I keep on telling myself one day I will build a web page to strip out the garbage that prevents these coupons from being viewed and printed properly. fdf are basically PDF with multiple layers with a bit of code that forces you to print the hidden coupon layer and checks with a server to prevent users from printing multiple. However, the coupon itself is in the file itself.

You can extract the hidden coupon using Firefox or Foxit PDF (presumably other tools too, but I don't use them). Open the fdf in one of those tools and click the layer icon:

In Firefox

Foxit PDF

Then uncheck everything except couponimg. The coupon will appear:

Then you can print using the system print dialog

Hope this helps!

+6

Jan 22nd, 2022 11:23 am

Jon Lai: Deal Expert; May 30, 2005; 47104 posts; 7506 upvotes; Richmond Hill

Jan 22nd, 2022 11:23 am

I just "print" them as PDFs, then do whatever you want with them.

Tons of things for sale!
Silver Coins | Philips Wake-Up Light with Radio | OSIM Back Massager | Heatware

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Jan 22nd, 2022 1:51 pm

chemicalxv: Deal Fanatic; Dec 26, 2014; 6488 posts; 6771 upvotes; Winnipeg, MB

Jan 22nd, 2022 1:51 pm

Idk if this is the best place to ask but does anyone know how to fix this issue?

It used to work in the past without any issues, but my only option is to hit "Okay" in that pop-up window and then it just automatically closes the file.

Jan 22nd, 2022 1:53 pm

chemicalxv: Deal Fanatic; Dec 26, 2014; 6488 posts; 6771 upvotes; Winnipeg, MB

Jan 22nd, 2022 1:53 pm

idontknow915 wrote: ↑ I keep on telling myself one day I will build a web page to strip out the garbage that prevents these coupons from being viewed and printed properly. fdf are basically PDF with multiple layers with a bit of code that forces you to print the hidden coupon layer and checks with a server to prevent users from printing multiple. However, the coupon itself is in the file itself.

You can extract the hidden coupon using Firefox or Foxit PDF (presumably other tools too, but I don't use them). Open the fdf in one of those tools and click the layer icon:

Then uncheck everything except couponimg. The coupon will appear:

Then you can print using the system print dialog

Hope this helps!

I can't open .fdf files in Firefox - when I do it just automatically gives me the "Open With" or "Save File" pop-up that you see with normal downloads.

Jan 22nd, 2022 2:18 pm

idontknow915: Newbie; Aug 4, 2014; 26 posts; 90 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 22nd, 2022 2:18 pm

chemicalxv wrote: ↑ I can't open .fdf files in Firefox - when I do it just automatically gives me the "Open With" or "Save File" pop-up that you see with normal downloads.

Go here https://mozilla.github.io/pdf.js/web/viewer.html, it's the same pdf engine as the one in Firefox, click upload (4th icon from top right), select file. Then click the sidebar button (first icon top left), then the layer button from my earlier screenshot. Hope that helps!

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May 3rd, 2022 8:36 pm

Searchin4deals: Sr. Member; Apr 2, 2016; 505 posts; 511 upvotes

May 3rd, 2022 8:36 pm

idontknow915 wrote: ↑ I keep on telling myself one day I will build a web page to strip out the garbage that prevents these coupons from being viewed and printed properly. fdf are basically PDF with multiple layers with a bit of code that forces you to print the hidden coupon layer and checks with a server to prevent users from printing multiple. However, the coupon itself is in the file itself.

You can extract the hidden coupon using Firefox or Foxit PDF (presumably other tools too, but I don't use them). Open the fdf in one of those tools and click the layer icon:

firefox.png In Firefox
foxit.png Foxit PDF

Then uncheck everything except couponimg. The coupon will appear:
final.png

Then you can print using the system print dialog

Hope this helps!

This is great! Thanks for sharing!

(There's another more complicated work-around with chrome, but your method is much easier.)

May 6th, 2022 11:40 pm

kreisleriana [OP]: Deal Addict; Jun 20, 2009; 1273 posts; 632 upvotes; Edmonton

May 6th, 2022 11:40 pm

idontknow915 wrote: ↑ Go here https://mozilla.github.io/pdf.js/web/viewer.html, it's the same pdf engine as the one in Firefox, click upload (4th icon from top right), select file. Then click the sidebar button (first icon top left), then the layer button from my earlier screenshot. Hope that helps!

When I try to open that github link, I just get a pdf scientific paper rather than an app. That happens in both Firefox and Chrome. Safari gives gobbeldygook.

May 7th, 2022 12:09 pm

Darkblade48: Member; Jan 21, 2007; 280 posts; 251 upvotes

May 7th, 2022 12:09 pm

kreisleriana wrote: ↑ When I try to open that github link, I just get a pdf scientific paper rather than an app. That happens in both Firefox and Chrome. Safari gives gobbeldygook.

You need to open the FDF file following the instructions mentioned, and then view the layers to disable the offending one(s).

May 7th, 2022 2:08 pm

kreisleriana [OP]: Deal Addict; Jun 20, 2009; 1273 posts; 632 upvotes; Edmonton

May 7th, 2022 2:08 pm

I can't open the FDF file. The poster says you can open in Firefox. File...Open just opens up the dialog to open up in a PDF program. If I load up the console I don't see anything to open it either.

May 7th, 2022 8:02 pm

rchong: Deal Fanatic; Sep 1, 2004; 5920 posts; 3881 upvotes; Victoria

May 7th, 2022 8:02 pm

kreisleriana wrote: ↑ I can't open the FDF file. The poster says you can open in Firefox. File...Open just opens up the dialog to open up in a PDF program. If I load up the console I don't see anything to open it either.

I'll clarify those instructions:

1. Go to https://mozilla.github.io/pdf.js/web/viewer.html (this just sets up Firefox for the next steps)
2. File > Open File > select your FDF document
3. Click the toggle sidebar button (left of the up/down arrows)
4. Click the show layers button (4th button)
5. Uncheck everything but couponimg
6. Print

As for your duplexing problem, if you installed the Brother printer driver (from Brother.ca) there should be an option to disable duplex printing in Devices & Printers > printer preferences on the specific printer

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