'Blotting paper' is a
type of
paper or other
material which is used to absorb an excess of
substance (such as
ink or
oil) from the
surface of an
object.
Examples of its use include absorbing the excess
ink left on
parchment after writing with a
fountain pen or in
cosmetic papers used to remove excess
lipstick or facial oils.
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.
Certain illegal drugs, most notably
LSD, are distributed on blotting paper. A liquid solution of the drug is applied to the paper, which commonly is perforated into individual doses and artfully decorated.