Pen and pencil carbon paper is intended to copy handwritten documents. In the case of handwritten letters, the letters may not be as crisp as with typewritten letters because people normally do not apply too much force when writing. Pen and pencil carbon paper uses a slightly thicker paper as the base and a much thicker coating of the pigment. So the written letters, even if they are not too crisp, last longer in the copied sheet.
Film carbon papers are extra tough carbon papers that are intended for long-term uses. They are anti-static, durable and crease-resistant. This is used along with handwritten and typewritten documents because of its high quality.
Typewriter carbon paper is meant to be used with typewriters. It is used to take copies of the typewritten letters. As these letters are normally crisp, typewriter carbon papers use thinner tissue paper for the base and a thinner carbon layer for the coating. It has the coating and backing wax on the back of the paper also.
Color carbon paper normally comes in five colors: blue, black, red, white and yellow. This is mainly used in sewing and fabric shops to make a copy of the pattern in the desired color. This carbon paper is available both as single-sided and as double-sided. Double-sided carbon papers are normally available only in blue and black colors. The color of the carbon paper wipes off on any sheet or surface with which it comes into contact.
Carbonless copy paper is used for the same purpose of copying, like carbon paper. As the name indicates, carbonless paper does not use carbon to make copies. Instead it is covered with micro-encapsulated dye or reactive clay. Carbonless copy paper is an environmentally friendly alternative to carbon paper, as it does not discard carbon. This produces high quality copies with more accuracy and neatness. However, it is found that contact with certain types of carbonless copy paper results in skin and eye irritation in some people.