What Is NCR Printing?
Most businesses need physical documentation that records and details transactions between the business and its customers. In earlier years the simplest form of these records was produced by issuing an invoice and a reciprocal receipt, using carbon paper books or pads – whilst this was an accepted, and effective, sales tool, it was also an often ‘messy’ process resulting in sometimes unclear, receipt copies of the issued invoices.
In more recent times, a far more effective, professional, and ‘tidy’ business tool has replaced the traditional carbon paper books and pads in the form of the NCR Pad or book. These NCR pads are easy-to-use, practical business documents that can provide instant copies and records of transactions of differing nature, thus saving valuable administration effort and time. The term NCR refers to No Carbon Required – this is a form, notebook, or pad in which the individual sheets of paper have been treated with a special coating which reacts to the pressure of a pen, thus creating clean, clear duplicate copies.
How NCR Pads Work
When you write on the top copy of an NCR sheet it automatically reproduces the same image on the subsequent sheets beneath – NCR pads are usually produced in 2, 3 or 4-part sets which are glued together to create an NCR book, where one of the NCR copies is fastened to the book ensuring that all your file copies are kept together in one place. These pads provide physical hard copies of each individual transaction, making them instant and valuable referable records of the business performed and are a proven, reliable form of accurate record-keeping.
NCR Pads
Most businesses use 2 Part or 3 Part NCR pads, but they can be produced with more copies if required. The pads are often available in a range of colours to easily distinguish which party of the transaction receives which colour as their official record of the business completed. NCR pads are produced in different sets which are then glued together to create an NCR book, where one of the NCR copies is fastened to the book ensuring that all your file copies are kept together in one place.
Usually produced in books or pads of 50’s, the pads include a stiff ‘backboard’ and a ‘writing shield’ that is inserted beneath the bottom copy of an individual set to avoid transfer to multiple sets in error. Once a set is written, it is detached and the copies distributed accordingly, and the pad is available for the next transaction.
NCR printing provides businesses with an easy, cost-effective way to track and record any transaction with a fully co-ordinated, accurate paper-trail that can save businesses valuable time and money in administration issues. NCR pads can also be printed as sequentially numbered, hole punched and perforated for easy use. Ordering NCR books makes storage of the items easier and is more cost effective to produce and print.
NCR Pads Uses
The most common business use of NCR pads is in creating instant copies for all parties of invoices and receipts. Whereas the ‘old style’ carbon paper pads would often only record the hand-written details of the product/service and the price of the transaction, the printed NCR pads can be designed and printed to record the transaction in greater detail – the item sold, the date, time and price and, in some instances, which employees have been involved in the transaction. The relevant coloured copies are retained by both the seller and purchaser with identical details. Likewise, NCR receipts provide the “mirror” document of the invoice – wherever an invoice is issued there will be a requirement for a receipt which contains the same information as the invoice. Both documents provide accurate, corresponding records used in accounting to track and evidence sales transactions to verify requests and receipts for payment.
NCR Sets
As an alternative to having NCR sheets printed and compiled in booklet form, you can opt for the less expensive form of NCR printing and order individual NCR sets – like the pad entries, they consist of 2, 3, 4 or even 5-parts all glued together to form one individual set. Again, as with the pads, they can be numbered, hole-punched, and perforated for whatever your business requires.
Other Uses
Although NCR printing is largely produced for invoicing and receipts, other forms of NCR printing can be ordered. Businesses can make use of NCR printing for producing Delivery Notes, legal documents such as Agreement Forms, where it is necessary for a party to sign and agree to Terms and Conditions, along with School Accident Report Forms, Gas Safety Records and Hazardous Waste Notes. Printed NCR pads are very commonly used in industries such as retail, catering, and construction.