Carbon paper is a type of paper with a waxy dark film of carbon on one side. It is used to make copies of written items by transferring the carbon to the sheet below. The need for carbon paper has been greatly reduced since the creation of electronic printers and copy machines that can make multiple copies with the push of a button. Carbon paper is still used today for a variety of purposes, from making copies of patterns onto fabric to making copies of handwritten or typewritten business forms.