BOOKS, PADS and SETS are still widely used, primarily for agreements and contracts and usually handwritten. The use of NCR paper enables the image to pass through with the pressure of either a pen or an impact printer ( line printer or dot matrix).

A book is wire stitched and stapled whereas a pad is normally just glued. They can be produced any size with any number of parts collated together. Multi-part pads and books usually have a writing shield to prevent images being passed through copies. This may take the form of a loose shield or a wraparound shield from the side or backing base card. Books and pads can be bound from the head, foot or side and may have a vertical perforation so that when the forms are removed, a stub is left behind. The books or pads may also include a cover either plain or printed. Books and pads may be numbered in one or more positions on one part or throughout the copies.

Sets are loose multi-part, usually glued at the end with the same options as books and pads except there is no requirement for writing shields or strawboard base.  Normally a set is used either manually or typed or put through an impact printer. The sets would not be used on an inkjet printer unless each sheet was printed separately and recollated after printing. A different type of NCR paper should be used where the sets are being printed on a laser printer - this is because the heat from the toner would cause the NCR corpuscles to flow.   

Tip: As books, pads and sets are used manually, there are not the stringent requirments for print positions and form design. Try to design and utilise a form that is proportional to A4 size ie 297mm x 210mm, - design the form so that it is proportional ie 297mm x 105mm NOT 297mm x 120mm - this results in a considerable waste of paper in production.