An approach is provided for applying a release agent to a substrate having at least a first surface and a second surface. The approach involves determining a print job type for applying one or more printed images to the substrate to be one of a simplex print job type that applies the one or more printed images to one of the first surface and the second surface and a duplex print job type that applies the one or more printed images to the first surface and the second surface. The approach also involves processing the determined print job type to cause, at least in part, a determination of a release agent application instruction that corresponds with the determined print job type. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, an amount of the release agent to be applied to the substrate based on the release agent application instruction.