Strathmore Art Journal Kits will be featured in the Artterro booth at the New York International Gift Fair. These unique, environmentally friendly new kits have also been selected for the Sustainability: Design for a Better World Display. Visit www.artterro.com for more information and great photos of the kits in use.

Are cotton paper and rag paper the same?

The terms "rag" and "cotton" are often used interchangeably. However, rag specifically refers to papers made with cotton textile remnants. At one time, it was common for papers to consist of 100% cotton rag. However, over time, rag supply for use in papermaking became tighter as the use of synthetic fibers in textiles became more common. Today, most fine art papers are made from 100% cotton linters or a combination of cotton rag and cotton linters. Rag fibers are longer fibers compared to cotton linters so they do provide extra strength. Cotton linters are pure cellulose fibers that are byproducts of cotton processing. Although the cotton linters' fibers are shorter than textiles, they still offer outstanding strength and archival properties.

Our 500 Series Drawing, Bristol and Illustration Board surfaces are manufactured using a combination of rag and cotton linters. The ratio of approximately 3 parts rag to 1 part linters is the standard composition for these papers. This is the same fiber make-up that has been used since these grades were first manufactured in 1893.

Strathmore^® Windpower^® pads feature a photograph of a wind turbine on the cover. Do you have wind turbines that generate electricity for your company?

Strathmore does not own wind turbines. Organizations like us that choose to use clean, renewable energy can do so by purchasing wind power energy in the form of renewable energy credits (RECs). Renewable energy leaders sell wind power into the electricity grid, reducing the amount of power that would otherwise be generated by fossil fuels. The renewable energy credits we purchase are certified through the Green-e^® Marketplace Program administered by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions based in San Francisco, CA.

Testimonial from Michael R. Fudge, Jr.

"I've been working as a freelance illustrator for many years. Throughout the years, Strathmore is the brand I trust for quality and dependability.

I currently work as a comic book artist for a graphic novel at Heroes Fallen Studio.  Strathmore's sequential art boards in 200, 400 and 500 series have held their own over the many pages of my work. However, recently I discovered Strathmore 500 Series Illustration Board for Wet Media while working on my independent commissions and my illustration novel.  This 500 Series board is hands down the best I've ever used. The ink goes on smooth, black as night. Acrylics (watered down or thick) go across easily, displaying magnificent colors. Watercolor never looks so real.

Pigma Micron Pens don't buckle the surface, even after millions of fine strokes. But what tops it off is the color I achieve when using Copic Markers -- smooth vivid tones that look as if I used watercolor and airbrush. It is everything that I've been looking for in one surface. The Illustration Board for Wet Media is the only board I now use for my illustrated novel, commission projects and personal art. I doubt there is any other board out there that can do what this board can do. Just another reason why I will always use Strathmore..."

About Michael R. Fudge, Jr.:

Michael R Fudge, Jr. currently lives in the lost terrain of Kansas. After spending 14 years in the Marines and Army including multiple tours to Iraq, Michael now works as a freelance illustrator for Distorted Black Studio. His media ranges from pen & ink, watercolor, acrylic, marker, pencil and colored pencil. He is currently writing and illustrating a children's book which is to be released next year.

Thanks, Michael! Those of us at Strathmore Artist Papers appreciate your loyalty and kind words about our products!