Duplicating Paper

Duplicating Paper

Duplicating paper, also known as carbon paper, is a thin sheet of paper coated with a layer of ink or wax on one side, and a layer of pigment on the other side. When placed between two sheets of paper and pressure is applied, the ink or wax on the carbon paper transfers to the paper underneath, creating a duplicate copy of the original document. Duplicating paper was first invented in the mid-19th century and was widely used for creating multiple copies of handwritten documents before the advent of photocopiers and digital printers. Duplicating paper comes in different colors, with black being the most common. Other colors include blue, red, and green, which are used for specific purposes such as color coding or highlighting important information. The quality of the duplicate copy depends on the quality of the carbon paper used, as well as the pressure applied during the transfer process. Poor quality carbon paper can result in smudging or incomplete transfers, while excessive pressure can cause the carbon paper to tear or leave unwanted marks on the original document. While duplicating paper is no longer as widely used as it once was, it still has its applications in certain industries. For example, it is still used in the legal profession for creating duplicate copies of important legal documents, and in the art world for creating duplicate copies of sketches and drawings. Additionally, it is still used in some developing countries where access to photocopiers and digital printers is limited.

carbon paper, duplicate copy, ink, wax, pigment

— Richard Martinez

CITATION : "Richard Martinez. 'Duplicating Paper.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/duplicating-paper?E=380103 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"