hardcopy

Hardcopy refers to a physical printout or tangible copy of information produced by a printer, copier, or other output device, in contrast to a soft copy which exists only in digital form. Hardcopies are typically made on paper, but may also be produced on other media such as transparencies or photographic prints. They are used for documents, books, receipts, forms, photographs, and various forms of media, and they accompany digital versions in many professional and personal settings.

Hardcopy production uses several printing technologies, including laser and inkjet printing for documents, offset printing for high-volume materials, and impact printing such as dot matrix for multi-part forms. Common formats and sizes include A4 and letter, with standardized color and monochrome output. Paper quality, finishing (gloss, matte, binding), and archival considerations influence readability and durability.

Historically, hardcopy emerged with the advent of printing and later evolved into modern mass-market and business printing. In contemporary contexts, hardcopy coexists with soft copy; it is often used where duplicates are needed, where electronics are impractical, or where legal or regulatory requirements specify a tangible record.

Advantages of hardcopy include ease of annotation, direct physical storage and distribution, and enduring legibility in the absence of technology. Limitations include physical storage needs, potential degradation from light or moisture, and higher ongoing costs for duplication. Digital records can be replicated and searched more easily but may depend on hardware, software, or obsolescence.

Preservation considerations emphasize archival-quality paper, proper storage conditions, and conditions that minimize acid decay and environmental damage. In many jurisdictions, hard copies of documents are still required for legal, regulatory, or archival reasons.