3 part NCR carbonless paper produces three copies of any written or printed document in a single pass. No carbon inserts. No messy residue. The CB-CFB-CF layer sequence uses micro-encapsulated dye on the top sheet (CB) that ruptures under writing or print pressure, transferring a clean image to the CFB middle sheet, then again to the CF bottom sheet.
It is the standard choice for invoices, purchase orders, work orders, service tickets, delivery receipts, bills of lading, contracts, proposals, and inspection or compliance forms, any document that needs to go to three parties simultaneously with no duplication step.
For two-copy workflows, see our 2 part carbonless paper. For the full range of NCR stocks, browse the complete carbonless paper collection.
Straight Collated vs. Reverse Collated: Which Do You Need?
This is the most common source of press-side confusion. Getting it wrong means wasted stock and unusable sets.
Straight-Collated (Forward) 3 Part Carbonless Paper
Sheet order (top to bottom): White / Canary / Pink. The printer pulls from the top of the stack and outputs face-up. Use straight-collated if your printer outputs face-up and you want the white original on top of the finished set.
Reverse-Collated 3 Part Carbonless Copy Paper
Sheet order (top to bottom): Pink / Canary / White. The printer pulls pink first and outputs face-down, so when the set is flipped the white original is on top. Most laser printers with face-down output trays require reverse-collated stock. Always run a test set before committing to a full ream.
Not sure which you need? Call us or send a message. This is exactly the kind of question our team handles daily.
3 Part Carbonless Paper 8.5 x 11 and Legal Sizes
We stock 8.5 x 11 (standard letter) for invoices, work orders, and service forms, and 8.5 x 14 (legal) for contracts, compliance documents, and multi-field forms. Continuous feed formats are also available for dot matrix and impact printer environments.
All stock is pre-collated and cut to consistent tolerances. Each ream contains 500 sheets, yielding 167 complete 3-part sets. Paper weight runs between 15 and 20 lb per ply, thin by design to minimize nip resistance and keep the dye transfer clean and sharp through all three plies.
Proper storage extends sheet life. Keep stock sealed in a cool, dry environment away from direct light. Heat, UV exposure, and excessive humidity degrade the micro-encapsulated coating over time.
Brands We Carry
Our inventory includes Excel One carbonless stocks, a brand with a well-established track record in commercial print and in-plant environments. Browse the full Excel One carbonless paper collection for available configurations.
Don't see the brand or specification you need? PSD sources products not listed on the site. If you have a specific mill, coating type, or format requirement, contact us directly and we will track it down.
How to Print on 3 Part Carbonless Paper for Business Use
Before loading a job, confirm your collation type using the Straight vs. Reverse Collated section above. Printer setup varies by output type.
- Laser printers: Use paper rated for laser/dry toner. Keep fuser temperatures within the manufacturer's specified range. Excessive heat can pre-activate or degrade the dye coating.
- Inkjet printers: Confirm the stock is inkjet-compatible before running. Not all carbonless papers are. Check the product spec sheet or call us.
- Impact/dot matrix printers: Use continuous-feed NCR stock designed for impact environments. Standard cut-sheet stock is not rated for dot-matrix use.
- Print quality: Set your driver to a media type that limits excess toner deposit. Heavy toner application can interfere with the chemical transfer layer.
Other Specialty Paper at Printing Supplies Direct
If your shop handles fine art or photographic output alongside business forms, we stock specialty inkjet media as well. Our fine art dual-sided paper and fine art canvas paper cover high-end output needs for in-plant and commercial shops serving fine art reproduction clients.
Same-Day Shipping Across the 48 Contiguous States
Most orders are placed by the daily cutoff time ship the same day or next business day via UPS Ground. We cover all 48 contiguous states. Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada require a direct contact for a shipping quote. PSD does not ship internationally but will ship to a U.S.-based freight forwarder.
We track every order through delivery. If something goes sideways in transit, our team handles it directly, no runaround.
3-Part Carbonless Paper Frequently Asked Questions
