This desk pad is a think clear plastic. It is quite substantial and does its job well. The reason I have given 4 rather than 5 stars is that moisture tends to accumulate in very small areas underneath when my husband uses it. There are a few possible reasons for this: desk surface is a lacquer finish so it is supper smooth and sealed, my husband is a big guy and probably leans heavily, and lastly, we are located at the beach,so there is very high humidity. I do remove it when he isn't using the desk so that it can dry. any case, it is a geat deskpad!