First impressions matter, and unboxing this 100-sheet pack of MEGREZ rice paper felt promising. The smooth, grid-free surface and natural bamboo texture screamed quality—until I counted only 98 sheets. A minor letdown, but not a dealbreaker.

Where this paper truly shines is in calligraphy practice. The half-raw ripe Xuan composition strikes a perfect balance—enough absorbency to create crisp strokes without the uncontrolled bleeding I've experienced with raw paper. My ink dances across the surface with precision, making it ideal for beginners mastering regular script.

Water-based techniques reveal the paper's duality. While one reviewer raved about its Suminagashi performance, my acrylic experiments showed limitations. The thinness (noticeably more delicate than premium brands) demands feather-light handling when wet. It won't disintegrate like cheap alternatives, but overworking causes frustrating lint balls and tearing.

The sizing issue appears systemic—multiple users report missing sheets. At this price point, the inconsistency is forgivable for practice work, but professionals might prefer Blue Heron's reliable (if pricier) options. That said, cutting these large sheets into smaller sections creates economical practice pieces.

Beware the occasional quality control hiccup. One batch arrived with an unpleasant odor and rough texture unsuitable for gelli printing. Yet another user mistakenly reviewed raw paper instead of this semi-sized version—a testament to how subtle the variations can be in specialty papers.

Final verdict? A solid budget option for calligraphy drills and controlled ink work, but temper expectations for heavy painting applications. Keep a hairdryer handy to prevent warping during wet techniques, and always check your sheet count upon delivery.