Carbonless Paper: How it Works
A description on how carbonless paper works and its effect on the environment.
Carbonless Paper: How it Works
Carbonless Paper: How Does It Work?
Carbonless paper, although invented in the 1950's, has become increasingly popular since the late 1970's and the ongoing environmental movement. (read more about carbonless and the environment)Its predecessor, carbon paper, has been on the decline (in terms of relative sales) ever since. The difference between the two is that carbonless paper (obviously) does not use a sheet of carbon paper to make the copy. Instead, it is coated with micro encapsulated dye or reactive clay. When you write on the top sheet, your imprint 'prints' on the paper below - and because the dye capsules are so small, the accuracy and neatness of the copies are comparable to a high end photocopy.
How it works: Consider a standard 2-part carbonless form. The back of the top page is coated with micro-encapsulated dye. The front of the bottom page is coated in reactive clay. When pressure is applied to the top page the micro-capsules of dye break, releasing the dye which then reacts with the clay, creating a permanent mark. The capsules of dye are so small (thus the name micro-encapsulation) that the mark printed is very precise - therefore the switch from carbon based forms to carbonless forms does not affect the quality of the duplicate. In most cases, carbonless paper is actually preferred for its precision (providing you purchase it from a quality carbonless dealer). For a 3-part form, the micro-encapsulated dye is again coated on the back of the top sheet. The front of the middle or 'sandwich' sheet is coated on both sides: the front with reactive clay and the back with micro-encapsulated dye. The bottom sheet is front- coated with reactive clay. Printing on the top sheet will provide duplicates on the next two sheets. With 2-part, 3-part and 4-part forms (and so on), there is no coating on the front of the top page or the back of the bottom page.
Carbonless paper for printers is becoming increasingly common. Another very popular aspect of carbonless forms is the ability to buy the sheets separated - thereby printing your own custom invoices and then 'gluing' the papers together to create a duplicate or triplicate invoice, purchase order, receipt, or whatever else you need copy paper for. Many companies that sell carbonless paper now sell them in customized forms - you choose the form and the company prints the forms off and then attaches (glues) the sheets in 2, 3 or 4-part bundles.
If you own a business and use large quantities of carbon paper, you should consider looking into carbonless alternatives; attaining both better quality copies and an environmentally friendly option for paper copying.
NCRForms.com is a premiere manufacturer and supplier of carbonless paper.
Jed Fleury is an Internet Marketing Professional and part time writer.
Carbonless paper, although invented in the 1950's, has become increasingly popular since the late 1970's and the ongoing environmental movement. (read more about carbonless and the environment)Its predecessor, carbon paper, has been on the decline (in terms of relative sales) ever since. The difference between the two is that carbonless paper (obviously) does not use a sheet of carbon paper to make the copy. Instead, it is coated with micro encapsulated dye or reactive clay. When you write on the top sheet, your imprint 'prints' on the paper below - and because the dye capsules are so small, the accuracy and neatness of the copies are comparable to a high end photocopy.
How it works: Consider a standard 2-part carbonless form. The back of the top page is coated with micro-encapsulated dye. The front of the bottom page is coated in reactive clay. When pressure is applied to the top page the micro-capsules of dye break, releasing the dye which then reacts with the clay, creating a permanent mark. The capsules of dye are so small (thus the name micro-encapsulation) that the mark printed is very precise - therefore the switch from carbon based forms to carbonless forms does not affect the quality of the duplicate. In most cases, carbonless paper is actually preferred for its precision (providing you purchase it from a quality carbonless dealer). For a 3-part form, the micro-encapsulated dye is again coated on the back of the top sheet. The front of the middle or 'sandwich' sheet is coated on both sides: the front with reactive clay and the back with micro-encapsulated dye. The bottom sheet is front- coated with reactive clay. Printing on the top sheet will provide duplicates on the next two sheets. With 2-part, 3-part and 4-part forms (and so on), there is no coating on the front of the top page or the back of the bottom page.
Carbonless paper for printers is becoming increasingly common. Another very popular aspect of carbonless forms is the ability to buy the sheets separated - thereby printing your own custom invoices and then 'gluing' the papers together to create a duplicate or triplicate invoice, purchase order, receipt, or whatever else you need copy paper for. Many companies that sell carbonless paper now sell them in customized forms - you choose the form and the company prints the forms off and then attaches (glues) the sheets in 2, 3 or 4-part bundles.
If you own a business and use large quantities of carbon paper, you should consider looking into carbonless alternatives; attaining both better quality copies and an environmentally friendly option for paper copying.
NCRForms.com is a premiere manufacturer and supplier of carbonless paper.
Jed Fleury is an Internet Marketing Professional and part time writer.
New Guestbook
Like this lens? Want to share your feedback, or just give a thumbs up? Be the first to submit a blurb!
