Vellum

Vellum is a durable writing surface prepared from animal skins, most commonly calf, but also sheep or goat. It has been used for manuscripts, legal documents, and book bindings due to its strength and long-lasting quality. In practice, vellum is often distinguished from other parchment by its finer grain and smoother finish, though the terminology varies by era and region.

The name vellum derives from Latin vitulina, meaning “calf,” via Old French velin. In medieval Europe, vellum was frequently preferred for master copies and important records because of its reliable surface for ink and pigment. Parchment broadly refers to skin prepared for writing, regardless of animal species; vellum tends to imply calfskin in traditional usage, but today the distinction is not strictly standardized.

Production of vellum involves several steps applied to animal hides. After cleaning and dehairing, the skins are treated in lime to loosen hair and fibers, then washed, stretched on frames, and dried under tension. The surface is scraped and smoothed to a uniform thickness, and often sized with a binding medium such as egg white (glair) or gelatin to create a receptive writing surface. The finished vellum is durable and smoother than many other writing supports, though humidity and handling can affect its appearance and texture.

Today, vellum is still used for high-quality manuscripts, rare book bindings, and archival work, valued for longevity and a distinctive tactile quality. The term “vellum” is also used for modern translucent drafting papers or papers marketed as vellum, which are not animal skins, illustrating how the word can denote different products depending on context.