Invoices can be created on various types of paper, including regular printer paper or templates. Electronic invoices can also be used and printed on plain paper for record keeping. Some companies require blank invoices with carbon or carbonless paper for immediate use. Carbonless invoice books usually come with two or three forms for record keeping.
Invoices are used in various industries as a way of requesting payment from a party involved in a business transaction. While the type of paper used for billing usually depends on the company issuing the bill, there are some types that are particularly suitable for certain industries. Common types of invoice paper range from regular printer paper that’s perfect for an email invoice, to various types of invoice templates that can be purchased at an office supply store.
Many people choose to use electronic invoices, in which case they don’t even need to be printed. They can be created using billing software or even just existing general spreadsheets on your typical computer and then sent via email. If you need to make a hard copy, you can print an invoice on plain paper for record keeping. Therefore, a specific billing document is not always required.
On the other hand, some companies require invoices to be created immediately. For example, contractors typically make calculations while on site for their next project and write down the invoice information in front of the client. In such cases, a block of blank invoices is required, when the type of paper used for the invoice becomes important.
One type of blank invoice book that can be purchased contains carbon paper, which has a sheet of dry ink held together with wax. When placed under one piece of paper and on top of another sheet, it allows ink from the top paper to pass through to the bottom, creating a copy. The original can be delivered to the customer immediately, which allows the business to keep the new copy for archival purposes without having to use a photocopier. This type of invoice paper is often considered obsolete, but some companies have stuck to this proven method for years and continue to use it.
Despite the usefulness of carbon paper, it tends to stain hands when handled, which is why carbonless invoice paper has mostly replaced it. Most invoice books sold at office supply stores contain carbon-free invoice paper and usually come with two or three forms. Books with two different forms feature a white copy, which is the original often given to the customer, and a yellow copy, usually kept for records. Those with three forms include a pink copy in addition to the white and yellow, providing an additional copy of the invoice that is typically provided to credits if applicable.
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