What is carbon paper?
Carbon paper is a thin sheet coated on one side with a layer of ink or pigment, used to make copies of handwritten or typed documents, designs, and drawings.
The carbon copy paper is placed between two sheets of paper, so that when you write on the top sheet, for example using a
ballpoint pen, the pressure transfers the ink from the carbon paper onto the sheet below and creates a duplicate.
Carbon paper is commonly used in businesses for invoices, receipts, forms and legal documents, without needing a printer or copier.
How to use carbon paper
Want to make a quick copy of your writing without a printer? Carbon paper is an easy, old-school tool that still works great. Here’s how to use it in just a few steps.
1. Put your papers in order:
- Top sheet: the one you’ll write on
- Middle: carbon paper (dark side facing down)
- Bottom sheet: where the copy will appear
2. Write on the top sheet:
3. Lift the sheets and your copy will be on the bottom page!
And that’s all there is to it! Carbon paper is fast, reusable, and perfect for making instant copies whenever you need them.
- Top sheet: the one you’ll write on
- Middle: carbon paper (dark side facing down)
- Bottom sheet: where the copy will appear
Who uses carbon paper?
Carbon paper is kind of old-school but can come in handy in the right situations!
Tradespeople on the road would commonly use carbon copy paper to keep track of invoices, receipts, and quotations.
Artists and hobbyists would commonly use carbon paper for sketches, drawings and creative purposes. For example, tattoo artists.
Tape is typically used to hold the paper steady in these situations.
Some offices and organisations would also use this paper to keep an account of transactions, for example, a child paying for a school tour, or for extra-curricular sporting activities, etc. as a printer would not be required in this scenario.
Other useful products
Common questions
Where can I buy cheap carbon paper?
You can purchase affordable carbon paper right at 123ink.ie! We stock the popular brand of carbon copy paper known as Kangaro, as well as our cheaper 123ink own-brand alternative. Cut your costs even further by purchasing our own-brand 100-sheet pack, lowering your cost per page.
Who uses carbon paper?
Carbon paper is commonly used by tradespeople, artists, office workers and organisations for easily making copies of text or designs. Though less common now, carbon copy paper is still useful in creative and manual work.
How do I use carbon paper?
To use carbon paper, make sure to place the carbon paper ink side down on the surface you want to copy onto. Put your original sheet (with the design or text) on top of the carbon paper. Trace or write over the top sheet using a pen or pencil. Once you remove the paper, the pressure will have transferred your marking/design onto the bottom surface. Carbon paper works best on firm, smooth surfaces.
If you have any questions about ordering carbon paper, please feel free to
contact us. Our customer service team are happy to assist with any queries you may have.
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