Thousands of UK businesses rely on continuous NCR forms and continuous stationery every day. While many processes have migrated to digital systems, sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, engineering and warehousing continue to depend on dot-matrix printing and carbonless multi-part forms for speed, reliability and compliance.
So why are continuous NCR forms still so widely used and when are they the best choice for your business?
Continuous NCR forms (also called continuous stationery or tractor-feed NCR forms) are carbonless multi-part forms printed using dot-matrix or impact printers.
Unlike standard laser or inkjet forms, continuous NCR stationery is fed through the printer in a continuous stream. Each document is made up of two or more sheets that automatically create duplicate, triplicate or multiple copies in one print pass.
Because they use NCR (No Carbon Required) paper, there is no loose carbon sheet – the copy transfers cleanly from one page to the next.
UK businesses typically use continuous NCR forms for:
Despite advances in digital systems, continuous NCR forms offer advantages that modern printers can’t always match.
Dot-matrix printers can run for hours printing hundreds or thousands of documents without stopping. This makes continuous stationery ideal for high-volume printing environments such as warehouses, haulage firms and distribution centres.
Every time a form prints, all copies are produced at the same time. One copy can go to the customer, one to accounts and one to the warehouse – with no scanning or photocopying required.
Many UK industries still require paper records for legal, VAT and audit purposes. NCR forms ensure all copies match exactly, reducing the potential for missing paperwork.
In areas such as goods-in, dispatch bays and factory floors, paper forms remain faster and more practical than tablets or PCs.
Yes – especially if your business:
Modern NCR paper is cleaner, more reliable and higher quality than ever, making these forms a long-term, cost-effective solution.
If you’re using dot-matrix or impact printers, it’s important to choose professionally printed continuous NCR forms that are:
You can order custom continuous NCR forms printed in the UK – with numbering, branding, perforation and multi-part sets by contacting NCR Pads for a quotation here.
While many business processes have adopted digital systems, continuous business forms continue to play a crucial role in UK industry. They remain one of the fastest, most reliable and most economical ways to produce multi-copy printed documents at scale.
For businesses that depend on speed, accuracy and paper records, continuous NCR stationery is far from outdated – it’s still one of the smartest choices available.
