NCR job sheet pads for trades: what should they include?
A clear job sheet helps tradespeople record what was requested, the work completed and any further action required while they are still on site.
NCR stands for No Carbon Required. Writing on the top sheet automatically transfers onto the copy sheets underneath, allowing one copy to be left with the customer and another returned to the office.
Who uses NCR job sheets?
Carbonless job sheets are suitable for businesses carrying out work at customer premises, construction sites and commercial properties.
What should a job sheet include?
The exact fields will depend on your trade, but most practical job sheets contain three main sections.
Customer and job details
Company logo and contact details
Job or reference number
Customer name and site address
Date of the visit
Engineer or operative’s name
Work carried out
Work requested
Work completed
Materials or parts used
Arrival and completion times
Additional work recommended
Approval and completion
Customer comments
Engineer’s signature
Customer signature
Completion date
Payment or invoice information where required
Only include information that your team genuinely needs. Too many small boxes can make the form cramped and difficult to complete on site.
Useful optional fields
Add fields that relate directly to the way your jobs are managed, priced and reported.
Purchase order number
Labour hours and call-out charges
Mileage and travel time
Next inspection or service date
Equipment make, model or serial number
Safety or risk-assessment checks
Photograph or document reference
Follow-up appointment required
Duplicate, triplicate or four-part?
Choose the number of sheets according to how many people or departments need a copy.
2-part duplicate
A white top sheet and one yellow copy. Usually suitable when the customer and office each need a copy.
3-part triplicate
Creates two copy sheets. Useful when accounts, a contractor, landlord or site manager also needs a copy.
4-part form
Provides three copy sheets for work involving several departments, contractors or record-keeping systems.
Label the sheets clearly where appropriate, such as Customer Copy, Office Copy and Accounts Copy.
Which job-sheet size is best?
297 × 210mm
Usually the best choice for detailed work descriptions, parts lists, safety checks, diagrams and signatures.
210 × 148mm
A compact option for shorter service visits, estimates, mini-invoices and straightforward maintenance records.
Choose the size according to how much information is normally handwritten. Leaving slightly more space is better than creating a form that feels cramped.
Should you choose pads or perforated books?
The best option depends on whether every copy will be removed or one copy needs to remain securely bound.
NCR pads
Pads contain 50 complete forms glued along the top edge onto a backing board. Each complete form is removed as it is used.
They are the most popular choice when all copies will be handed out, returned to the office or filed separately.
Perforated NCR books
Books are stapled and spine-taped, with perforated sheets that can be removed while one copy remains securely bound.
Choose books when keeping a permanent copy of every job in date or number order is important.
Useful printing and finishing options
Sequential numbering
Give every form a unique reference number to help track jobs, paperwork and missing records.
Reverse-side printing
Use the reverse for terms, payment details, safety information or instructions that do not need handwriting fields.
Hole punching
Add two or four holes on the left edge when completed forms will be filed in folders or ring binders.
Avoid heavy solid printing on the reverse, especially on three-part and four-part forms, as it may affect how clearly handwriting transfers through the set.
Designing a practical job sheet
Use clear headings and a logical order
Provide generous spaces for handwriting
Use tick boxes for common tasks and answers
Avoid small text and complicated backgrounds
Leave enough room for signatures and dates
Ask the people using the form to review it
For black-and-white NCR printing, keep all content at least 6mm inside the edge. Colour artwork can print to the edge when supplied with crop marks and 3mm bleed.
A press-quality PDF is preferred. We can also accept Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, JPEG and TIFF files, and every order receives a PDF proof before printing.
How ordering works
Choose the size, number of parts, printing options and number of pads required. Each pad contains 50 complete forms.
Complete checkout and upload the job-sheet artwork with any numbering or finishing instructions.
We check the file and email a PDF proof showing the final layout for approval.
Once the proof is approved, production normally takes 2–3 working days for standard NCR pads.
Print custom NCR job sheet pads
Order duplicate, triplicate or four-part NCR pads online, with optional numbering, reverse printing and hole punching. We will check your file and send a PDF proof before printing.