MD Product Paper Pad Cotton (A5)

The MD Paper Pad Cotton is a writing pad featuring paper composed of approximately 20% cotton pulp – a proportion that gives the surface an open, lightly textile structure and the sheet itself an unusual stability. The paper was originally developed for sketching and painting, but processes ink with surprising quality. Both outer edges – vertical and horizontal – are glued, so the pad can be positioned either portrait or landscape depending on the task, without sheets fluttering or slipping.

Special Features

• Cotton content in paper: Approximately 20% cotton pulp gives the sheet a soft, subtly rough feel and makes it tear-resistant – the paper springs back slightly under pressure instead of breaking or warping.
• Double-sided gluing: The pad is glued on both outer edges (vertically and horizontally). This allows free choice of orientation – portrait, landscape, on the table or in your hand – without the pad losing its shape.
• Stands without a base: The cardboard back and double gluing make the pad stable enough to write or draw while standing without requiring an additional base.
• 90 sheets: With 90 pages, the pad offers plenty of space for longer projects, sketch series, or intensive note-taking sessions.

Application & Tips

• Fountain pen and ink: The open cotton surface absorbs ink evenly and makes pen strokes appear soft and saturated. Fine to medium nibs work well; very wet inks need some drying time. Non-permanent inks show no bleed-through issues but can easily seep into the fiber structure – a test stroke is worthwhile.
• Pencil and charcoal: The rough paper structure provides good grip for pencil and charcoal, making shadows and textures appear plastic. Ideal for quick sketches and drafts that can later be traced over with ink.
• Watercolors in small amounts: Thanks to the cotton content, the paper handles light watercolor washes better than pure wood pulp paper – however, it is not designed for full wet-on-wet techniques.
• Use orientation changes: If you alternate between flowing text and broad sketches, you can simply rotate the pad without tearing off a sheet – the gluing holds in both directions.
• Working while standing: Clipboard or sketch pad on the go? The MD Paper Pad Cotton serves both purposes – the rigid back provides enough counter-pressure for writing without a table.

For Paper Enthusiasts

Cotton paper has a long history in printing and archiving – the high cellulose content from cotton fibers makes it more stable long-term than wood pulp-based paper, which yellows and becomes brittle over time. The mixture used here of wood pulp and approximately 20% cotton pulp is not a full cotton paper (as used for certificates, for example), but it transfers the typical characteristics – the slightly silky feel and increased strength – into an everyday practical format. Those working with glass nib holders or flex nibs will notice that the paper reflects ink tips less harshly than heavily calendered paper: the slight surface resistance gives the writing stroke pleasant feedback.

Technical Specifications