Vellum

Vellum is a high-quality form of parchment. Originally, it meant calf skin, but in English the term is used more widely.^[1]

Like parchment, the skin is prepared to take writing in ink.^[2] It was one of the standard writing surfaces used in Europe before paper became available. It continued to be used for high-status documents. The vellum was used for single pages, scrolls, codices or books.

To manufacture vellum, the skin is cleaned, then bleached, stretched on a frame called a "herse", and scraped with a knife. When vellum is scraped, it is by turns wet and dry to create tension. A final finish is got by rubbing the surface with pumice, and treating it with lime or chalk. Then it is ready to accept ink.^[2]

Modern "paper vellum" (sometimes called vegetable vellum) is made out of synthetic material instead of mammal skin, but is used for the same purpose as normal vellum.

1. ↑ "vellum - Origin and meaning of vellum by Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "Differences between Parchment, Vellum and Paper". National Archives. 15 August 2016.