How Carbonless Forms Work

In a typical carbonless form, three different carbonless papers work together as a system to transfer images cleanly and clearly from one sheet to the next.

The top ply in a form is a “CB” (coated back) sheet, the back of which is covered with millions of microscopic dyes.

The last ply in a form is a “CF” (coated front) sheet, coated on its front side with a colorless coreactant or “receiver” material.

In the middle of a form, you’ll find “CFB” (coated front and back) sheets. As the name implies, they’re coated on the front with the CF receiver material and on the back with the CB dye capsules.

The system works this way: whenever pressure is applied to a carbonless form, from writing, typing or other mechanical pressure, the dye capsules on the CB surfaces are ruptured. That releases the dyes, which then react with the CF receiver coating and develop either a blue or black carbonless image. (NCR Paper brand is available in both blue - and black - imaging carbonless paper grades.)