Blotting material with profiled region, method of manufacturing same, and uses thereof

A system for aligning blotting material with a sample grid holder, said system comprising:

• a means for gripping the sample grid holder;
• a holder configured to hold a blotting material;
• a means for adjusting a position of the blotting material and/or the sample grid holder relative to each other such that a portion of the blotting material that is configured to protrude at least partially into a space created within a boundary formed by a rim of the sample grid holder is able to protrude therein when the blotting material is brought into association with the sample grid holder, wherein the blotting material comprises a profiled region that has a portion configured to protrude at least partially into the space created within the boundary formed by the rim of the sample grid holder, and wherein the blotting material comprises a first area that is greater than a second area formed by the rim of the sample grid holder;
• a means for bringing the blotting material into association with said sample grid holder, and
• wherein the portion of the blotting material configured to protrude into the space of the holder has a height of between approximately 25 μm to approximately 500 μm as measured from a plane of the outer surface of the holder.