Cotton Rag Paper – White

About the paper

A clean, tree-free paper made from textile waste

Cotton rag paper is made from cotton fabric waste: discarded textile offcuts that contain high percentages of cotton fibre. At Bluecat Paper we collect pre-consumer cotton scraps and repurpose them into a clean, long-lasting, tree-free paper.

Cotton rag is known for its naturally long fibres, which form a sheet that is consistent and well-structured. The paper has a soft, matte surface and a slightly warm tone. No wood pulp or bleach is used, so its appearance and texture come entirely from the cotton itself.

What it is used for

Cotton rag is a versatile, refined sheet that holds up across print, craft and keepsakes.

• Stationery, writing and correspondence
• Archival records and documentation
• Luxury packaging and gift boxes
• Art, sketching and calligraphy
• Folders, inserts, tags and covers

It takes both ink and dry media well, with no surface coatings or fillers needed.

How it is made

We start with pre-consumer cotton scraps from garment units, clean offcuts that never entered the supply chain.

• Scraps are sorted to remove any synthetic content
• The pure cotton is pulped without chemicals
• The clean pulp is formed into even sheets
• Sheets are pressed to set the surface
• Each sheet is dried using minimal energy

The result is a stable, consistent, tree-free paper made entirely from cotton.

Why it matters

Why cotton rag paper matters

100% cotton textile wasteNo wood pulp, bleach or coatingsCompostable and recyclableNon-toxicSupports circular use of materialsClean, low-impact production

Verified statistics

The numbers behind cotton rag

up to 50%

less water than virgin wood-pulp paper, which needs about 91,000 litres per tonne

Gitnux

40%

of all industrially harvested wood goes to paper, which tree-free fibre avoids

Gitnux

60 to 76%

of paper is recycled globally: 66% in North America, 76% in Europe

Wikipedia

287 to 597 MPa

tensile strength of cotton fibre, highly resistant to aging and tearing

Wikipedia

up to 53%

less wastewater with recycled fibre, plus 20% lower emissions, 31% less energy and 39% less solid waste

SoCal Shredding

2,783 m³

water saved per 1,000 kg of cotton textiles recycled, with about 6,600 kg CO2e avoided

Wikipedia

Sources and data

Common questions, verified

How long does cotton rag paper last?

High-quality cotton fibre paper is known to last hundreds of years without appreciable fading, discoloration or deterioration, making it ideal for archival documents.

Why is it considered archival quality?

Rag paper is naturally lignin-free and holds a neutral pH, which prevents the acid-related yellowing and brittleness of wood-pulp papers.

Was cotton rag paper used historically?

Yes. Cotton paper was the dominant form of paper before the mid-1800s and was used for important legal and literary documents, many of which survive today.

What makes it stronger than wood-pulp paper?

Its long, pure cotton fibres give superior structural integrity, making it far more durable than conventional wood-pulp alternatives.

Is it made from recycled materials?

Yes. Modern cotton rag paper is often made from recycled textile waste, which helps divert fabric from landfill.

What people say

In the words of makers and archivists

Cotton paper is superior in both strength and durability to wood pulp-based paper.artistservices.co.nz

Archival quality is the number one benefit for printing on cotton rag.outdoorphoto.co.za

Cotton rag paper is a high-quality, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper.theurbannordic.com

Cotton paper retains its form for several hundred years, with little chance of discoloring, fading or deteriorating.paperpapers.com