Carbonless Paper User Guide – What to Do When Copies Are Faint or Jams Occur?

Carbonless paper is indispensable for commercial forms, invoices, orders, and more. However, many users encounter issues like faint copies or paper jams. This article starts with the structure and principle of carbonless paper to help you troubleshoot common problems and improve printing efficiency.

Structure and principle of carbonless paper

Carbonless paper typically consists of top ply (CB – coated with colourless dye), middle ply (CFB – double‑coated), and bottom ply (CF – coated with developer). When the pins of a dot‑matrix printer apply pressure, microcapsules rupture, allowing the colourless dye and developer to react chemically and produce visible marks.

Common problems and solutions

Problem 1: Later plies are faint or completely blank

• Possible cause: insufficient printing pressure; total paper thickness exceeds the printer's carbon‑copy capacity.
• Solutions: check and adjust the paper thickness lever on the printer; confirm the number of plies is within printer specifications; use high‑quality carbonless paper.

Problem 2: Frequent paper jams during printing

• Possible cause: paper has become damp and deformed; uneven paper edges; worn printer pickup rollers.
• Solutions: replace with dry, flat paper; clean or replace pickup rollers; store carbonless paper in a moisture‑free environment.

Problem 3: Paper slips and does not feed properly

• Possible cause: paper surface too smooth; tractors not aligned; insufficient pressure from the printer's pressure rollers.
• Solutions: check that the tractor holes align with the printer's feed mechanism; adjust pressure roller settings.

Storage recommendations for carbonless paper

• Keep storage environment dry and cool, with relative humidity between 50%–65% RH.
• Avoid heavy stacking or compression to prevent deformation or coating damage.
• Use colour‑coded plies as a set to ensure uniform copy quality.

Conclusion

The print results of carbonless paper depend not only on the paper itself but also on printer settings and the usage environment. Mastering the above troubleshooting methods can significantly reduce downtime. Shenzhen Mufeng Paper Co., Ltd. provides high‑quality carbonless rolls and computer forms in a wide variety – inquiries are welcome.