Image copier having enhanced duplex capabilities; method of printing a copy of a document to produce a duplex copy product

A method and apparatus for duplex copying providing enhanced time to first copy is disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanner, a printer having a duplexer, and an information pipeline configured to process a data stream representing the image of page sides of the original document to be printed onto a single page of the copy product. The copier includes a processor , a computer readable memory, and a print element. The processor is configured to deliver the first two page sides of the original document to the printer for printing prior to the scanning of all subsequent pages of the original document.