Blotter?

[futurebird]

Do you use a blotter? What kind? Do you have a photo of it? In action? Is it worth it? or is or just silly?

[jbb]

I have a large desk blotter that is most definitely protecting my desk from a gazillion ink splatters. I have several rocking blotters but I only use those once in a while.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/5718858828_0d803a8d87_b.jpg

Edited July 22, 2011 by jbb

[Shangas]

I use a blotter regularly. I'd be lost without one. Here's my big big big desk-blotter...

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Writing%20Pictures/blotternew.jpg

 

On the right, you can also see my smaller rocker-blotter.

 

All closed up:

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Writing%20Pictures/DeskBlotter1.jpg

 

Interesting story about this desk-blotter. I picked it up for a pittance at the local thrift-shop where I do charity work. The assistant manager said she was glad I bought it, because she knew I'd put it to good use! She was right!

[futurebird]

Lovely! How do you use a desk blotter like that one? Do you close the flaps to get the excess ink?

[Shangas]

As you can see, that desk-blotter is absolutely MASSIVE. At a rough measurement, it's about three feet wide by one foot deep. They were designed to fit on those enormous old fashioned Victorian partner's desks...these things:

 

http://www.merchantofwelby.com.au/antiques/details/antique2202img3851.jpg

 

They're obviously not designed for the smaller, modern desks that we have today.

 

Desk blotters are designed to keep the ink off your lovely Victorian-era leather writing-surface (as in the desk pictured). In the course of writing a letter, you'd flip the page over and press it against the sheet of blotting-paper on the desk and just run your hand over the page so that the extra ink was soaked up by the sheet of blotting-paper underneath.

 

If you've ever wondered why traditional blotting-paper is sold in HUGE GIGANTIC SHEETS...it was to fit desk-blotters like mine.

 

I'd been after one of these things for ages (as anyone will tell you, I'm rather messy with my ink) to keep stains off my desk. When I saw that one, I just had to buy it. And the blotting-paper that you see in the photograph is the actual paper that came with it. Three whole enormous sheets of the stuff.

[USMCMom]

As you can see, that desk-blotter is absolutely MASSIVE. At a rough measurement, it's about three feet wide by one foot deep. They were designed to fit on those enormous old fashioned Victorian partner's desks...these things:

 

http://www.merchantofwelby.com.au/antiques/details/antique2202img3851.jpg

 

They're obviously not designed for the smaller, modern desks that we have today.

 

Desk blotters are designed to keep the ink off your lovely Victorian-era leather writing-surface (as in the desk pictured). In the course of writing a letter, you'd flip the page over and press it against the sheet of blotting-paper on the desk and just run your hand over the page so that the extra ink was soaked up by the sheet of blotting-paper underneath.

 

If you've ever wondered why traditional blotting-paper is sold in HUGE GIGANTIC SHEETS...it was to fit desk-blotters like mine.

 

I'd been after one of these things for ages (as anyone will tell you, I'm rather messy with my ink) to keep stains off my desk. When I saw that one, I just had to buy it. And the blotting-paper that you see in the photograph is the actual paper that came with it. Three whole enormous sheets of the stuff.

 

I have a big oak desk and it's impossible to find a large blotter like the one you have. I use a smaller one and also use a rocking blotter.

[USMCMom]

I'm finding that large sheets of blotter paper are quite difficult to find, even online. The small strips for rocking blotters are easily found, but not the desk blotter size. I found smaller sheets, but nothing for a large blotter that sets on a large desk.

[CatBookMom]

I use blotters; I have a tiny rocker blotter (less than 2x3in) and a large one (maybe 2.5x5in) and a box of 3x5in blotter cards with vintage Italian designs on them. I think all of them came from Levenger. I haven't needed to change the paper in ages, though I did turn over the paper on the little one. Seems like much of the paper I write on dries fast enough not to need blotting.

 

I do much better with the blotters now that I've learned that you have to wait a bit before using them, using the blotter just to soak up the last bits of excess ink. Using a blotter immediately just makes for a blob of ink on your paper.

 

I bought a pack of refill blotter paper (deep blue) for the big rocker blotter when I bought it and still have a lot.

Edited July 29, 2011 by CatBookMom

[txinsk]

I'm finding that large sheets of blotter paper are quite difficult to find, even online. The small strips for rocking blotters are easily found, but not the desk blotter size. I found smaller sheets, but nothing for a large blotter that sets on a large desk.

 

Try Art supply stores, especially ones that carry professional art supplies. No guarantees there, but it might work. For online orders Talas is the way to go. If the sheets are too large they can cut them for you at a charge. The 30pt. is heavy and durable, I use it for a desk blotter myself.

 

Rick

[USMCMom]

I'm finding that large sheets of blotter paper are quite difficult to find, even online. The small strips for rocking blotters are easily found, but not the desk blotter size. I found smaller sheets, but nothing for a large blotter that sets on a large desk.

 

Try Art supply stores, especially ones that carry professional art supplies. No guarantees there, but it might work. For online orders Talas is the way to go. If the sheets are too large they can cut them for you at a charge. The 30pt. is heavy and durable, I use it for a desk blotter myself.

 

Rick

 

There's a Hobby Lobby in the next county and they carry artist's paper in cold and hot press, but no blotter paper. I'll try Talas. Thank you!

[USMCMom]

Just checked out what Talas had and looks like exactly what I need. Thank you again!

[txinsk]

Just checked out what Talas had and looks like exactly what I need. Thank you again!

 

I mostly shop Talas for bookbinding material, but they have much more. I have a wishlist from Talas.

 

Rick

[Shangas]

I purchase big sheets of b/paper from the post-office or from art-supply shops.

 

USMCMom, thanks for the birthday greetings by the way. Much appreciated.

[USMCMom]

I purchase big sheets of b/paper from the post-office or from art-supply shops.

 

USMCMom, thanks for the birthday greetings by the way. Much appreciated.

 

You're most welcome!

 

I doubt our post offices in this area use blotter paper, but it certainly couldn't hurt to ask. The worse that could happen is, getting the familiar "look" and "What is blotter paper".

[Shangas]

I went up to mine and asked. They brought out HUGE sheets of blotting-paper. You could build a tent with them! I bought a few and went home. I still have them stored in my closet (to keep them out of the dust).

[Chevalier]

It's not hard to find blotting paper in Germany, but they are A4 (close to letter size) or A5 (half the A4 size) and the quality isn't good (a wet pen with wet ink will cause problems).

Asking a papermill directly always worked for me. They should know, in most cases, how to make blotting paper. I still have some sheets left, but I'll have to find a new mill during the next year too. There are still some companies that make good blotting paper, but they tend to be more expensive.

[AlecG]

I have a super nice rocking blotter from el casco, I have an almost complete deskset of them in chrome and some black parts.

And I have two odd plastic rolling blotters. They are quite old and where cheap, but work better than any rocking blotter to be honest. http://www.lacouronneducomte.nl/webstore/main/images/ec_blotter_chrome.jpg

I'll make a picture of the plastic ones tomorrow. I can't find it on the Internet.

[RMN]

I have a whole bunch of rocking blotters, about 12 different. No pics at the moment.

I actually use a few of those when writing wishing cards. Often the card-surface will not be absorbing, and without blotting you would get ugly inksmears on the card. Also when preparing my client-contacts I need a blotter with slow drying inks.

 

I must have one of these protecting blotters around, but without the paper.

 

Apart from protection these often provided a surface for doodling or quick notes, like phonenumbers, in pencil ofcourse.

 

D.ick

[Tennessee Dave]

Ok. Someone please tell this newbie where to find a rocking blotter. I was signing some birthday cards this morning and found that I needed one as the ink never did get absorbed. Thanks in advance.

[USMCMom]

Ok. Someone please tell this newbie where to find a rocking blotter. I was signing some birthday cards this morning and found that I needed one as the ink never did get absorbed. Thanks in advance.

 

I bought mine from eBay. It's just like the one from J. Herbin. You can get one from gouletpens.com.