How Does Carbon Paper Work?

Carbon Imprinting

Originally, a mix of carbon pigmentation and wax was applied onto the backs of sheets of paper with brushes. However, modern carbon paper utilizes machines to add a consistent layer of carbon and hot wax, reducing waste and increasing usability.

Usage

When written upon, the force exerted by the writer will apply carbon onto a secondary sheet of paper underneath the carbon paper. Carbon will stick where the pen tip pushed against it and onto the second paper, while the wax prevents unwanted smudges.

Reusability

Unfortunately, there is an upper limit on how many good copies you can make using the top sheet. A new sheet of carbon paper must be utilized after the first one's been used up.

No Carbon Required

The development of No Carbon Required papers utilizes chemical reactions between sheets of differently coated--and usually differently colored--paper. The alternating layers means that, as long as there is sufficient pressure, multiple copies of the same paper can be made at once.

References

• Null-Hypothesis.com: How Does That Work? Carbon Paper