What Is Vellum Paper Made of?
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Where Does Vellum Come From?
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The highest-quality vellum is taken from the skin of stillborn calves. However, cow, goat, sheep, deer and pig skin are also used to make vellum. Some of the earliest works done on animal vellum date to 600 BC. By the 19th century, a paper version containing cotton and wood fibers was developed. Today, the most commonly used vellum is a synthetic version made with plasticized cotton.
How is Animal Vellum Made?
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Making animal vellum is a long and exacting process. Once the skin has been removed from the carcass, it is soaked in a solution of lime for at least 8 days, scraped free of any extra tissue, soaked for another 8 days, then stretched on a frame. While on the frame, hair is removed with a curved knife, while the skin is wetted and dried several times to create tension. Once all hair has been removed, pumice and chalk are used to create the final surface, which will be able to hold ink.
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Uses for Vellum
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Since its creation, vellum has been used for religious texts, government documents, including the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, diplomas and paintings. Today, you will also find vellum (both animal and synthetic) in wedding and other event invitations, greeting cards and scrapbooking. Vellum, both animal and paper, is also used to make lampshades, while calf- and goat-skin vellum is used in making drum heads. Paper vellum is also widely used for technical drawings and blueprints.
Caring for Vellum
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Although animal vellum is considerably stronger and longer-lasting than paper, it can succumb to damage if not properly maintained and stored. The optimal storage temperature is 67 degrees with around 30 percent relative humidity. Vellum expands and contracts in response to storage temperatures. If the humidity is too low, the vellum will become brittle. If the humidity is too high, it can become susceptible to mold growth. Synthetic vellum does not require the same degree of care and can typically withstand a wide range of climate and storage conditions.
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Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.quartoconservation.com/siteassist_images/Vellum_indenture.jpg
