The term "manifold paper" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as [ˈmænɪfoʊld ˈpeɪpər]. "Manifold" is pronounced with the stressed vowel "æ" as in "cat", followed by "n" sound, a stressed "oʊ" as in "go", and ending with "ld", rhyming with "cold". "Paper" is pronounced with the unstressed vowel "eɪ" as in "we", followed by "p" sound, a stressed "ər" as in "butter", and ending with the same "r" sound.
Manifold paper refers to a type of carbonless paper that is commonly used for making copies or duplicates of handwritten or typewritten documents without the need for carbon paper. It is designed with multiple layers, typically 2 to 5, each with a chemical coating that enables the transfer of impressions from the original document onto subsequent copies.
The top layer, known as the "CB" or "coated back," is coated with a colorless micro-encapsulated dye. When pressure is applied through writing or typing on the front side, the dye capsules burst, releasing the dye onto the subsequent layer or layers. The following layers, also called "CF" (coated front) and "CFB" (coated front and back), may have different colors for easy identification of each copy. The bottom layer, known as "CB" or "coated back" is left uncoated and acts as a stabilizer, ensuring that the pressure from writing or typing transfers the impressions efficiently to the layers above.
Manifold paper finds wide application in various fields, including invoicing, contracts, order forms, and delivery notes, where multiple copies are required simultaneously. Its key advantage is the convenience it offers by eliminating the messy and inconvenient process of using carbon paper. Moreover, manifold paper provides neat and legible copies without smudges or smears. It allows for efficient record-keeping, archival purposes, and document organization, particularly in settings where document duplication is frequent. Overall, manifold paper offers a reliable and cost-effective solution for creating multiple copies of written or typed documents.
The word "manifold" in the context of paper can be traced back to the late 18th century. It comes from the Old English word "gemǣnel", meaning "common" or "shared", which evolved into the Middle English "manifald" or "manifold". This term was predominantly used to describe something that had many folds or layers.
In the realm of paper, "manifold" refers to a specific type of paper that is designed to create multiple identical copies of a document simultaneously. It typically consists of several layers held together by carbon, allowing for the transfer of handwriting or typing onto multiple sheets at once.
The term "manifold paper" emerged in the early 20th century, referring to this specific type of paper used in carbon copy or duplicating systems. It has since become widely recognized as a term for paper that produces multiple copies through pressure-based transfer methods.