What is collate when printing?

When printing, collate refers to the process of arranging multiple copies of a multi-page document in the correct order. For example, if you are printing a 10-page document and you want to print 5 copies, collating would ensure that each copy is printed in the correct order (1-10) before moving on to the next copy. This helps to avoid having to manually sort and assemble the pages after printing.

Collate options are typically found in the print settings of a printer or printing software. Users can choose whether they want the copies to be collated or uncollated, depending on their printing needs.

Collating is especially helpful when printing large documents with multiple pages, as it saves time and ensures that the copies are ready to use right after printing.