I'm going to be getting a new study/writing desk with a wood surface. For various reasons, I think it would be a good idea to use some sort of desk pad. It could by vinyl, leather, glass, or whatever else. I don't care all that much about the aesthetics as long as there are good practical reasons for a certain choice. Also, this doesn't really pertain to writing in notebooks, I am more interested in what writing surface people like to use when writing on a single sheet of paper directly on the surface.

Does anyone have any ideas, preferences, or suggestions? Please link some stuff if you remember where you bought it.

I'm a bit skeptical about writing on leather, but if you swear by it I would be interested in hearing what you have to say. I am somewhat inclined toward a vinyl surface, but I am sure that it will come rolled up in the mail and that I will never get the edges to lay perfectly flat. If it's thin enough that shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, I will shut up and let those of you who have first-hand experience continue the discussion.

Since switching exclusively to fountain pens I have used a leather desk blotter. The surface holds the paper in place and has enough "give" to make writing pleasurable. Ballpoint/rollerball use would certainly create grooves on the leather surface but the desk is mine only.

My "solution" is extremely crude, but might tide you over until you find something you like.

I usually write in notebooks or on pads. For when I am writing on a single sheet, I use the cardboard backers from Ampad Gold Fibre pads (the main pads I use). I rip out the staples and left-over strip when the pad is empty, and keep a few around. When they get too worn, I toss them. I's prefer something larger on my desk, but they are perfect on my lap desk. They have the right amount of give for use with fountain pens.

In the past, I have used a large leather blotter holder. It had leather triangular corners to hold a sheet of blotter paper, and a heavy backing pad (cardboard?). I don't know if anyone sells the large sheets of blotter paper anymore. With computer stuff, there is not that much room on my desk anymore. The blotter sheets might have been 17" x 22" (ANSI "C" size drawing sheet) and could be replaced when worn.

There is a reason why some antique desks were padded with leather. It was to create a smoother and more cushiony writing-surface. And I've found that to be true. I say if you're going to put something your desk, make it a leather pad.

I prefer blotter paper, either in a nice holder, like JohnS mentions, or even just cut to fit and laid on the desk's writing area.

Bill

I find the best thing for a desk top is a "desk blotter". This is a holder for a large sheet of blotting paper. Blotting paper is softer than wood or a finished decorative cardboard or leatherette surface. It will cushion the paper and make writing a bit easier. The advantage of blotting paper is that an ink spill will go nowhere. You fill your pen right in the center of the blotter and if the cat jumps up and nudges your arm, the tipped-over ink bottle won't send ink running off the desk and onto your expensive carpet.

Paddler

I prefer a very hard writing surface with no give. However I do put a sheet or two of paper under the one I am writing on to cushion it a little.

Where might one find a small leather desk blotter? I don't want something that will take up the whole desk, but perhaps something I could tuck away when I'm not using the desktop to write.

Paper on paper. Like in a journal. on my knee, on a desk, doesn't matter.

I just got rid of my desktop protection. My desk is a beauty and I prefer to see it. After some experimentation, I find that a couple sheets of paper beneath my object sheet produces my ideal writing surface. The desk is Ash and well-finished, so it is quite hard and smooth. When I want a little more give under my nib, I add a few more sheets to the underside.

For inking, I just open the newspaper on top of my working papers.

Bishop, desk pads are available just about anywhere you'll find office supplies. I would urge you to carefully consider what they call "rails" on leather desk pads, these are additional padded slips that will secure papers on either side of the pad, or on the top edge. I found the side rails profoundly annoying.

If you have one near you, IKEA has a couple of types of desk pads in their stores. I opted for a fabric one - it was cheap enough to experiment - and seems to be ok so far. It has one "rail", a foldover edge to stash small papers and such. I leave it on the left side because I'm a righty and it doesn't bother me.

For many years I've used a Rhinolin Writing Surface. They come in different sizes. I find it to be very satisfactory.

A few pieces of paper under the paper on which I write.

I'm sitting here on the futon in front of the TV, taking a break from editing a manuscript. I was writing on my knee, but through about 20 pages of paper.

I've found that the thick vinyl from a fabric store works remarkably well as a firm underwriting surface that has just a bit of give. As a plus, it's incredibly cheap.

True--and thank you for the response--but those tend to be huge. I was thinking of a nice pad that is slightly bigger than a standard letter-size sheet of paper. I don't want to cover up the desk surface.

I have a couple of Levenger's Euro desks and use their vinyl pad. It works well (it's clear) and provides just the right amount of cushioning. No doubt a simple sheet of vinyl from the fabric store would work as well, but I'm a Levenger addict.

If you want something smaller (and it sounds as if you do), I'd probably order a small leather piece from Tandy or its equivalent. It's not too difficult to cut with utility scissors. If you want something with a suede finish, then check out Ultrasuede at a fabric store (or online for a wide color selection). It's usually washable on top of being velvety smooth. It comes in various weights, so get what most appeals to you.

Me too.

Bishop- places like Office Max/Staples/Off Depot have desk pads/calenders that dont cost an arm and a leg. If you want really good leather one, look at the Levengers website

We girls, writing on our knee . I write sitting up in bed mostly, so it's on my knee in a hardbound, spiral journal. Otherwise, I prefer a hard surface with a coupla sheets underneath the one I'm writing on.

Hardwood or glass.

Paper works for me as cushioning, but you definitely don't want anything too soft or the nib will dig in

Okay, Bishop, I'm working with RenArt and trying to come up with an ideal writing mat because I want one too. I asked him to make me one that is 9.5" x 12" to completely accommodate the size of a U.S. letter sheet. We're debating about whether to make it two sheets of leather with a card sewn inside or not. This would make it more sturdy and possibly help keep it smoother. I'll let you know what we come up with, and of course, I'll post pics and a review of the finished product.

Definitely go with the insert, and make it a nice heavy weight insert, whether card or hardboard. Yeah, I like this idea.