How to Make Carbon Paper

Carbon paper is used to make a copy of something. It is used between two pieces of paper, so that anything written on the top piece of paper is transferred to the bottom sheet as well.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Tracing paper or vellum (thin copy paper will also work)
• Hard writing surface protected by newspapers or a table covering

Instructions

How to make carbon paper

1. Using the pencil, color one side of the tracing paper, being sure to press hard with the pencil. Use the side of a sharp pencil for quicker transfer. Be careful not to tear the paper.

2. When you have finished, you should have three pieces of paper: one with pencil on one side, and two blank pages. Stack them in this order: blank paper, pencil paper (with pencil-side down), top paper. Tape or tack these to the table to prevent them from moving.

3. Draw or write on the top sheet of paper, being careful not to move the bottom sheet of paper. Peel a corner back to make sure your drawing or letters are transferring to the bottom sheet.

4. If the drawing or writing didn't transfer, troubleshoot. Check that the pencil side of the middle paper is facing downwards. You might not be pressing hard enough with the pencil. If these still don't work, try using a pencil with softer (darker) lead. Your pencil should be at least a #2, but darker pencils (with higher numbers) are available in art supply stores.

5. Voila! You can reuse your carbon paper; when it starts to fade, simply darken it again with the pencil.