Vintage carbon paper is thin, flexible paper coated on one side with a waxy, pigmented (usually black) ink, used for making manual duplicates of typed or written documents before photocopiers, featuring distinct smells and messy handling, popular in offices, for patterns (dressmaking), and as collectibles for nostalgic value. These relics, from typewriters to checkbooks, are known for their distinct feel, transferring images when pressure is applied, contrasting with modern NCR (No Carbon Required) paper.

Key Characteristics:

Composition: A paper sheet with a dry ink/pigment (carbon) mixed with wax or polymers, applied to one side.

Function: Creates a carbon copy (duplicate) when someone writes or types on the top sheet, pressing the ink onto the paper below.

Types: Existed for pencils, pens, and especially typewriters, available in different colors beyond black in later years.

Formats: Sold as individual sheets (often in boxes) or integrated into multi-part forms like receipts or checkbook registers.