How are notepads manufactured and why might they have creases or marks?

Notepads are cut using high-powered clamps that hold the stack firmly in place while the blade trims it to size. That clamping pressure can leave light indentation marks on the top few sheets, which is a normal part of the process rather than a defect.

What to expect and how to handle it:

• Minor marks may appear on a small percentage of each pad
• You can peel off the top damaged sheet or two to reveal clean sheets underneath
• Pads are printed with extra sheets, often 51 to 52 per pad, specifically to account for this

Because of those extra sheets, removing a marked top sheet still leaves you with your full usable count.