Steps on Using Carbon Paper

Carbon paper used to be found in schools, offices and homes, but today's computer programs, printers and copy machines have moved carbon paper into something of a novelty office supply. Although it's still used in some applications, such as airline tickets, handwritten receipts and some woodworking purposes, carbon paper is rarely used for business applications now.

Things You'll Need

• 2 sheets of paper
• 1 sheet of carbon paper
• 1 small paper clip (optional)
• Pen, pencil or typewriter

Instructions

1. Place the first sheet of paper flat on your desk. Most often, this will be a plain sheet of paper, but if the paper has a letterhead or other decoration, place this side up.

2. Place a sheet of carbon paper, dark side down, on top of the paper on the desk. Even the edges of the carbon paper and the plain paper.

3. Place the second sheet of paper over the carbon paper, again evening out all the edges. This page might have the letterhead of the company or other decoration. Ensure that this sheet is facing up.

4. Secure the pages together with a small paper clip if you will be writing by hand. If using a typewriter, place the sheets into the carriage with the letterhead or decoration facing away from you, and roll the three pages into the bale of the carriage. Use the carriage knob on the end of the carriage to adjust the paper to the desired position to begin typing.

5. Remove the carbon paper from between the two sheets when your project is complete. You will now have two identical documents.

Tips & Warnings

• One sheet of carbon paper can be used several times.

• The "cc" typed at the bottom of business letters refers to "carbon copy" sent to another person.

• You can stack several sheets of paper, with carbon paper between each sheet, to make multiple copies of a document.

References

• The New York Times: Carbon Paper Still Messy, Still in Use