Vellum parchment skin#

Parchment was originally any animal skin that had been readied for writing, while vellum referred specifically to paper made from calfskin. Animal skin will not have visible fibres. Most people have heard the terms vellum and parchment, but few know that these writing surfaces were originally made of animal skin. Is there a variation in opacity? A variation in opacity, but not in thickness, is evidence that it may be animal skin.Īre there creases or tears? If so, place a magnification loupe along one edge and look for paper fibres. Is there a variation in colour? If there is, it is supporting evidence that it is animal skin, though a variation in colour alone is not strong enough evidence to determine that it is not coated paper.Ĭan it be flexed easily? Vellum and parchment are stiffer than coated paper. Is there a grain or are hair follicles visible? If so, it is vellum or parchment. How can we tell the difference between animal skin and coated paper? Some polymer coatings may have a sheen, or cause the paper to be stiff and inflexible, producing similar qualities to parchment and vellum. Polymer coatings are used to achieve physical characteristics, water resistance, and to prevent ink from feathering. Skins for both parchment and vellum are selected carefully, washed and soaked in lime to slightly swell the hair follicles so that the hair can be removed more easily. There are many types of coated paper, which include clay coatings and polymer coatings. To see more about vellum and parchment and the qualities of the skin, what to look for, types of skins and the best to use, see my Calligraphy Clip, vellum and parchment. As parchment is usually created from the skins of full-grown animals, the grain is more pronounced due to larger hair follicles and there may also be evidence of old scars and discolouration. Vellum typically has a finer grain, fewer flaws, and fewer colour variations. How can we tell the difference between vellum and parchment? Finally they are cut out of their frames and are trimmed and shaped. Once dry, the skins may be made smooth by scraping with a pumice stone and dusted with chalk powder.

The skins are then stretched on a wooden frame, and while wet, are scraped with a knife a second time. The skins are removed from the vat and placed fur side up on a convex surface, and the fur is then scraped off. Both parchment and vellum are made by soaking the skins in lime and water for a week and a half while stirring the vat a few times a day.

Vellum parchment