Blotting paper is a highly absorbent type of paper or other material. It is used to absorb an excess of liquid substances (such as ink or oil) from the surface of writing paper or objects. It is also commonly used as a beauty tool to absorb excess oil from the skin.
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Blotting paper is made from different materials of varying thickness, softness, etc. depending on the application. It is often made of cotton and manufactured on special paper machines.
Blotting paper is sold as a skin-health product, with manufacturing companies suggesting that it "improves skin health by removing excess oil that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Blotting paper can also minimize the need for harsh complexion treatment products such as oil control gels, chemicals, primers and powders that can coat and stress skin out."[1] The highest grade of oil blotting papers are handmade in Japan called Aburatorigami and are only available in Asia. In 2008 an American based company, Tatcha, launched a line of Aburatorigami in the US. [2]
Blotting paper is used in chemical analyses as stationary phase in thin layer chromatography. The paper is made of superclean cotton.
Certain drugs, most notably LSD, are distributed on blotting paper. A liquid solution of the drug is applied to the blotting paper, which commonly is perforated into individual doses and artfully decorated also known as blotter art. LSD blotter art or Vanity blotter art are terms for the artwork that LSD is dropped onto. The artwork is printed onto blotter paper and then perforated into tiny squares or stamps which can be torn apart.
Blotting is frequently necessary when using dip pens and occasionally when using fountain pens. This was first done by sprinkling pounce over the wet ink. Blotting paper is reputed to be first referred to in the English language in the 15th century but there is a tradition in Norfolk, England that it was invented by accident at Lyng Mill on the river Wensum. This may be wrong as this was expressly a paper mill until about 1830, although it is clear that it did make paper before this time as it was referred to as Mr. Hamerton's mill and there are many texts describing it as a paper mill in the 18th century. However, the process of making blotting paper in bulk rather than by hand may be what was created at Lyng.
When used to remove ink from writings, the writing may appear in reverse on the surface of the blotting paper, a phenomenon which has been used as a plot device in a number of detective stories.
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