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Carbonless Paper | Uncoated Paper | Letterheads | Carbon Interleaved Forms

A continuous form can be one part or multiple parts. The paper can be the same on all parts or each part can be different. The number of parts and type of paper will depend on the use of the form in the workflow process. The imaging quality from part to part on the form will be affected by the number of parts and the type of paper used for each part. Part to part imaging can be accomplished in two ways:

  • Carbonless stock, which has a coating of special chemicals, can be used. The image is transferred through the parts as the pressure of writing or typing instruments causes the chemical coatings to react with one another, resulting in an image (see below).
  • An uncoated stock, which is not coated with any image producing chemicals, can also be used. An image is produced between the parts by inserting carbon paper to make a carbon interleaved form.

Note: Imaging from part to part should not be a problem on 4 parts or less of a continuous form made up of standard weight papers. Forms that are over 4 part should be tested for imaging quality.

 

Carbonless Paper

CB - Coated Back

The CB stock will transfer an image to the CFB stock or to the CF stock.
 

CFB - Coated Front & Back

The CFB stock will transfer an image to another CFB stock or to a CF stock.
 

CF - Coated Front

The CF stock does not transfer an image. It accepts the image from the CB or CFB stock. 
 

The imaging happens when the CB and the CF chemical coatings react with each other, however, if you need to prevent imaging in specific areas of a carbonless form, a desensitizing ink is required.

 

Standard Carbonless Paper

Type 

Standard Weight

Parts Used On

Standard Colors

CB

15 lb.

First Part

White

COB

14 lb.

Internal Parts

White, Canary, Pink, Gold, Green, & Blue

CF

15 lb.

Last Part

White, Canary, Pink, Gold, Green, & Blue

 

Carbonless Options

These options usually add to the cost of the form.

Type

Weight

Description

CB

20 lb. & 26 lb.

20 lb. and 26 lb. are used when part 1 needs to be of a little heavier weight for durability or when there is gong to be backprinting on part 1. The heavier weight will help prevent the backer from showing through to the front. The 26 lb. is also used for check applications. 20 lb. and 26 lb. are available in white.
 

CFB

17 lb.

17 lb. is used when the internal parts need to be a little heavier than standard weights. White, canary, and pink are readily available. Consult your manufacturer for the availability of other colors.
 

CF

27 lb., 33 lb., 105 lb.

27 lb., 33 lb. and 105 lb. weights are used when the last part needs to be extra durable because of handling or because of the type of application in which it will be used. It may also be used to add overall stability to the form. The 27 lb. and 33 lb. are available in white and buff; 105 lb. is available in white and manila.
 

 

Note: There are other specialty carbonless stocks available to you. Consult with your supplier for information on these papers and their availability. 

 

Uncoated Paper

Standard Bond Paper

One Part Forms

Type

Standard Weight

Standard Colors

Parts Used On

Bond

20 lb.

White, Canary, Pink, Gold, Green, & Blue

A majority of one part forms are printed with 20 lb. because it is more durable than 15 lb. paper. The heavier weight helps prevent backprinting from showing through to the front of the form.

Bond

15 lb.

White, Canary, Pink, Gold, Green, & Blue

Multi-Part Forms

Type

Standard Weight

Standard Colors

Parts Used On

Bond

15 lb.

White

First Part

Bond

12 lb.

White, Canary, Pink, Gold, Green, & Blue

Internal Parts

Bond

12 lb. or 15 lb.

White, Canary, Pink, Gold, Green, & Blue

Last Part

 

Additional Options

These options usually add to the cost of the form.

Type

Weight

Description

MICR

20 lb. & 24 lb.

20 lb. or 24 lb. is used when part 1 needs to be of a little heavier weight for durability or when heavy backprinting would show through to the front of the form. The 24 lb. is also used for check applications. Available in white, canary, pink, gold, green, & blue. For other available colors, consult your supplier.
 

Ledger

28 lb., 32 lb., & 36 lb.

Ledger is used when the last part needs to be extra durable because of handling or because of the application in which it will be used. It may also be used to add overall stability to the form. Ledger is available in white and buff.
 

Tag

100 lb. & 125 lb.

Tag is used when the last part needs to be extra durable because of handling or because of the application in which it will be used. It may also be used to add overall stability to the form. Tag is available in white and manila. Some manufacturers may have restrictions on running anything heavier than 100 lb. tag. If you have an application which requires a heavier stock, you should consult your manufacturer.

 

Note: Ledgers and tags should not be used for part 1 or internal parts if imaging from part to part is necessary. The heavier weight of these stocks will greatly reduce the quality of the image transfer. If you feel it is necessary to use one of these stocks for any part other than the last, you should request an imaging test from your supplier.

 

Continuous Letterheads

Many continuous letterheads are manufactured with plain 20 lb. or 24 lb. bond paper. There are many other grades and weights of papers used for letterheads such as Laids, Linens, some with 25% rag content, and some with watermarks, to name a few.

Note: Many of the specialty papers available for letterheads are expensive and require more lead time when ordering. Consult your supplier for availability and price.

 

Carbon Interleaved Forms

When your form needs to have an image transferred from part to part but you are not using carbonless stock, then your form will need to have carbon paper between the parts. The following are things to consider when deciding whether or not to use carbon interleaved forms:

  • Carbon color:

Black - The most common carbon color used for continuous forms.
Blue - A carbon color occasionally used on continuous forms, but not as often as black.

  • Carbon interleaved forms will give you a better image transfer on some forms.
  • To prevent image transfer in specific areas of the form, you can use a stripe or pattern carbon. Stripe and pattern carbons have the carbon coating applied to the carbon tissue in selected areas. The uncoated areas of tissue will prevent image transfer to the part below.

  • Carbon interleaved forms are generally less expensive than carbonless forms but they are not as clean or efficient for the end user to work with. Once the form is torn apart, you must dispose of the carbon, whereas with carbonless forms, you do not have the carbon paper.

 


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