Both carbon paper and carbonless paper can be used to make copies of documents without any electronic device. There are differences in each type, both in how they are manufactured and in their uses. In general, 3-part carbonless paper is a more popular choice than carbon paper alternatives, and this is why.
Carbon paper is the original version of electronic plain document copying. It is coated on one side with a dark ink-like substance that usually contains carbon. Make copies with creation in first document.
A sheet is placed between the original and the blank sheet on which the user wants the copy to appear. They write or type in the original and the pressure of the application puts ink on the blank page. This creates a carbon copy.
Carbon paper was first used around the 19th century with a patent for something called a fountain pen. A few years later, another inventor created a typewriter using carbon paper as part of its function. This means that carbon paper was discovered and grew around the same time.
Carbonless paper, also known as NCR paper, is a better and more popular alternative to carbon paper. It does not stain, it is biodegradable and easier to transfer. It also relies on the pressure of a writing utensil to create the chemical reaction that leaves a copy on the pages below the top copy.
To make two copies of a document, the papers must have a white top sheet and a colored second sheet underneath. This is called a duplicate or two-part. To make three copies, there is a white top sheet and two colored sheets directly underneath. This is called tripartite or triplicate. Four copies would be called in four parts or quadrupled.
Sometimes users require stacks of ten or more copies. This is easy to do with NCR paper. Carbonless copy paper is supplied to the end user sorted in notepads or books. They are bound in sets with glue or staples. Continuous stationary or loose sets are widely used in printers. Companies can also special order as many carbonless paper stacks as they need.
For a 3-part carbonless paper, there are three sheets. The first is sheet CB which is the original to be copied. The underside of the sheet is coated with a layer of microcapsules containing color formers.
The CFB sheet is the second. The upper side is coated with a receptive layer that chemically reacts with the color former on the upper CB sheet. At the bottom of the sheet, a microcapsule transfer layer transfers the copy to the last sheet.
The third sheet, or CF sheet, is at the bottom of the set. The upper side is the receptive layer that reacts with the color-forming microcapsules on the sheet above. The receptive layer is most often manufactured using activated clays.
Carbon and carbonless paper is used primarily for making copies of receipts. It serves as a backup operation in case computer systems fail. These paper options are also used to transfer invoices, service tickets, sales orders, and purchase orders. Modern artists use carbonless and carbonless paper as a surface to begin painting.
Carbon paper has some unique uses. The police offer to use carbon paper for evidence vouchers. Inmates should use carbon paper when writing letters or other notes so that the prison has a copy. Business forms use carbon paper for purchase orders and invoices. Banks and small businesses are the biggest buyers of carbon paper.
Carbon paper is also commonly used among tattoo artists. Artists can practice drawing designs and showing them to the client as they work on them, making any necessary changes. The paper is moistened and pressed against the skin to leave a charcoal outline. Clients can also bring a design or message that they want to get tattooed and carbon paper transfers.
Carbonless paper can be used for these and more uses. Quotes, legal forms, job applications, insurance forms, proposals, and delivery forms use carbonless paper. NCR paper can also be used for application forms, tracking manifests, and contracts.