Can I Print My Carbonless Forms?

Carbonless paper forms, usually used in offices and businesses to generate multiple copies of the same document, may not be going anywhere soon. Still, with the advent of computers, more and more people are choosing to print their forms at home rather than relying on the office's supply of pre-printed carbonless sheets. Can you print your carbonless forms? And if so, how do you go about it? Learn more by reading this article.

A short history

Before digital printing, carbonless paper was used in various applications where multi-copies were needed. Take sales receipts, for example; restaurants and retail stores need to give their customers a copy of their bill or purchase as proof of purchase. Carbonless paper made it possible to have a single form printed multiple times with only one original needed. Although you can get some of these items by using off-the-shelf printer paper (that has been pre-printed with carbon), they won't produce professional-looking copies as those that come from an actual carbonless printer that uses special carbonless paper.

What are carbonless forms?

Carbonless forms, also known as blanks, scratch-offs, or cancellations, are printed on what looks like normal paper but have carbon, ground-up wood, or a similar product mixed in. When you write on a sheet of carbonless paper with an ink pen or ballpoint pen (don't use pencil!), your impression doesn't completely show up; instead, it creates a line of lighter ink that's easy to erase. Carbon paper is useful for printing multiples because it makes creating clean copies much easier than by hand. carbonless paper is different types like 2 part form, 3 part forms are available on carbonless site. Using carbon paper, you can avoid getting smudges and eraser marks on each duplicate; write carefully!

Why would you use them?

Before you can print your carbonless forms, you need to know why you might want to use them. Are they more environmentally friendly than pre-printed forms? Are they less expensive than pre-printed forms, or do you have a specific project that calls for them? Maybe it's just because printing your own carbonless is more convenient. If that's the case, look at products like Carbonless on Demand from Vistaprint, which offers customizable options, including pricing and design options. You could even order a sample pack to see exactly what your printed product will look like.

How do they work?

A carbonless form is a document, usually with multiple copies (one for each party involved), printed on two sides. The main advantage of carbonless forms is that, unlike invoices and sales receipts, you can use them repeatedly. As such, they are often used in situations where you are sending out many invoices or need to keep track of financial transactions. There's no need to shred them either—once they have been used, all you have to do is staple together both copies and place your checks inside it.

Are self-printed carbonless forms legal?

If you own a business and print your carbonless forms, you may be surprised to learn that printing your carbon copies is against copyright law. This isn't because of any restriction by paper manufacturers; rather, it's due to a unique quirk in federal copyright law. Here's what you need to know: The United States Copyright Act grants exclusive rights over materials—like books, movies, paintings, and songs—to their creators. For example, if you're a musician who records an album with Capitol Records, only Capitol Records can manufacture physical albums or distribute digital versions of your music. However, there's an exception for valuable articles—i.e., objects meant for daily use that could have some other purpose beyond their intended use.

How do they compare to professionally printed carbonless paper forms?

Some people think they can save money by purchasing a carbonless paper online and printing them themselves. The truth is, you get what you pay for. Purchasing cheap carbonless paper that doesn't use high-quality ink is a recipe for disaster: your printouts will be smudged, torn, or fading after just a few uses. Standard perforated carbon copies are fine if you plan to send them in the cold (no heat). Still, if they need to be sent in hot (from an original copy), it would be best to stick with professional copies, so they don't dissolve or leave residue on your documents when sending via mail, courier, or fax machine.