These are no ordinary scratch pads. The paper is whiter, more opaque, and 27% heavier than the usual stock. There are inch graduations along the left-hand side and across the bottom. The dotted lines on the pad are 1/4" apart and the dots are 1/16" apart, making it easy to do scale drawings without pulling out a drafting set. The back of the pad is several times heavier than normal, making the pad usable on the job site without a clipboard. The combination of features makes this more of a tool than a scratch pad.