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 made and their uses. In general, 3-part carbonless paper is a more popular choice than carbon paper alternatives, and here’s why.

Carbon paper is the original version of the electronic copy of documents. It is coated on one side with a dark, ink-like substance that usually contains carbon. It makes copies with the creation on the 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 write on the original and the pressure of the application puts ink on the blank sheet. 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 at the same time.

Carbonless paper, also known as NCR paper, is a better and more popular alternative to carbon paper. It is stain free and biodegradable and easier to transfer. It also relies on pressure from a writing utensil to create the chemical reaction that leaves a copy on the pages below the copy above.

To make two copies of a document, the papers would have a white top sheet and a second colored sheet below. This is called a two part or duplicate. To make three copies, there is a white top sheet and two colored sheets directly below. This is called three parts or triplicate. Four copies would be called four parts or quadruplicate.

Users sometimes require stacks of ten or more copies. This is easy to do with NCR paper. Carbonless paper is supplied to the end user collated in pads or books. They are joined in sets with glue or staples. Loose sets or continuous stationery are widely used in printing shops. Businesses can also special order as many stacks of carbonless paper as needed.

For a 3-part carbonless paper, there are three sheets. The first is the CB sheet which is the original to be copies. The lower part of the sheet is covered by a layer of microcapsules containing color formers.

The CFB sheet is the second. The top face is coated with a receptive layer that chemically reacts with the color former of the top CB sheet. At the bottom of the sheet, a microcapsule transfer layer transfers the print to the last sheet.

The third sheet, or CF sheet, is at the bottom of the set. The top side is the receptive layer that reacts with the color former in the microcapsules in the sheet above. The receptive layer is most often made using activated clays.

Carbonless and carbonless paper is primarily used 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 a painting.

Carbon paper has some unique uses. The police offer to use carbon paper for proof of evidence. Inmates must 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 largest purchasers 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 changes as needed. The paper is moistened and pressed against the skin to leave a carbon profile. Clients can also bring a design or message they want tattooed and transfer it with carbon paper.

Carbonless paper can be used for these uses and more. Quotes, legal forms, job applications, insurance forms, proposals, and delivery forms all use carbonless paper. NCR paper can also be used for application forms, tracking manifests and contracts.