Carbonless Forms & Commercial Pressroom Glossary (A–Z)

Every term we use on a quote, a proof or a job ticket, in plain English. If we say something on the phone that is not on this page, tell us and we will add it.

Paper & coating

NCR

“No Carbon Required,” the original brand of carbonless paper; now used generically for carbonless forms.

Carbonless paper

Paper coated with microencapsulated dye and reactive clay so writing pressure transfers an image to the sheet below without carbon paper.

CB (Coated Back)

The top sheet; coated on the back only with dye microcapsules. Always the first part of a set.

CFB (Coated Front and Back)

A middle sheet; receives an image on its coated front and passes pressure on via its coated back. Used for every part between first and last.

CF (Coated Front)

The bottom sheet; coated on the front only to receive the final image. Always the last part of a set.

Microcapsule

The microscopic dye-filled sphere on a CB coating that ruptures under pen pressure to create the copy.

Reactive clay

The acidic receiving layer on a CF coating that develops the released dye into visible text.

Spot carbon

A patch of carbon or transfer coating applied only to selected areas, so just those fields copy through to lower parts.

Blockout / desensitizing

A clear coating printed on a coated area to stop transfer in a specific zone, keeping chosen fields blank on lower copies.

Bond weight

The basis weight of the paper stock, quoted in pounds. We run 21 lb bond on every part, every job.

Ply / part

One sheet within a multi-part set; a 3-part form has three plies.

Straight collation

Sets assembled in repeating color sequence (white, canary, pink, white, canary, pink) for continuous or roll work.

Reverse collation

Sets assembled bottom-sheet-first, the standard order for cut-sheet and pre-collated carbonless.

Interleaved carbon

Older technology where a loose sheet of carbon paper sits between plies; largely replaced by carbonless.

Laser-compatible carbonless

Carbonless stock formulated to survive fuser heat in a laser printer without premature imaging.

Image fade

Gradual loss of copy legibility over time from light, heat or humidity exposure.

Form construction & finishing

Snap set

A multi-part form glued at one edge with a stub, designed so the parts snap apart cleanly by hand; usually printed on lighter stock.

Fan-apart padding

A gluing method where alternating plies are fanned and glued so a whole set separates from the pad as a unit.

Padding compound

The flexible adhesive brushed onto the bound edge of a pad to hold sheets together while allowing clean release.

Wrap cover

A heavier stock cover wrapped around the padded edge of a book, often scored to fold behind the working set.

Book / booked set

Multiple sets bound together into a book, typically with a wrap cover and often stapled or glued.

Loose sets

Multi-part sets supplied unglued and uncollated into pads; shipped shrink-wrapped in stacks.

Glued sets

Sets padded at one edge so the parts stay aligned until torn off.

Stub

The narrow retained portion at the bound edge of a snap set or book that keeps a record copy in place.

Perf (perforation)

A line of small cuts allowing a controlled tear; used to separate parts, remove stubs or detach receipts.

Micro-perf

A fine perforation with very small ties, giving a smoother, cleaner tear edge than standard perf.

Score

A creased line that lets heavy stock fold without cracking; standard on wrap covers.

Consecutive numbering

Sequential numbers advancing by one on each successive set (e.g. 1001, 1002, 1003), printed cleanly onto every ply in the set.

Sequential numbering

Unique ascending or descending serial numbers printed directly onto every copy of a multi-part form set for invoice, work-order, and audit control.

Numbering start point

The first number in a run; archived in our Serial-Vault so every reorder picks up right after your previous ending number.

Matched ply numbering

The exact same serial number printed in registration across all parts (White, Canary, Pink, Goldenrod) of one set so copies stay matched.

Backer / back print

Printing on the reverse of a part, commonly terms and conditions on the customer copy.

Manifold

An older term for a multi-part business form set.

Continuous form

Fan-folded, pin-fed multi-part stock supplied in an unbroken web for impact printers.

Pin feed / tractor feed holes

The removable perforated sprocket strips on continuous forms that drive the paper through an impact printer.

Fan fold

Alternating accordion folds that let continuous forms stack flat and feed continuously.

Marginal words

Small printed cues in the margin of a form indicating which copy goes to whom (e.g. “Customer Copy”).

Punching / drilling

Holes added for ring binders or hanging, drilled after collation to keep parts aligned.

Shrink wrapping

Bundling finished sets or pads in plastic film for protection and count control.

Printing, color & prepress

Spot color

A pre-mixed ink printed as its own unit, specified by a PMS number; common for one- and two-color forms.

PMS (Pantone Matching System)

The standard ink-color reference system used to specify exact spot colors.

Process color / CMYK

Four-color printing (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) that reproduces full-color artwork.

Bleed

Artwork extended past the trim line so no white edge appears after cutting; typically 1/8 inch.

Trim line

The finished cut edge of the form.

Safe area / live area

The inner margin where text must stay so nothing is lost to trim variance.

Registration

Alignment accuracy between printed elements, colors or the print and the perf/numbering.

Knockout

Type or artwork left unprinted so the paper color shows through a solid ink area.

Halftone / screen

A pattern of dots simulating tones; used sparingly on carbonless because heavy coverage can hinder transfer.

Proof

A pre-production sample, digital or hard copy, approved by the customer before the press run.

Imposition

The arrangement of multiple form images on one press sheet to minimise waste.