About Animal Leather Parchment and Vellum

Animal skin parchment and vellum are traditional materials used for manuscripts, calligraphy, bookbinding, painting, and decorative crafts. Unlike ordinary paper, genuine animal parchment is made from prepared animal skin. Unlike conventional leather, it is generally dried under tension rather than tanned.

In this guide, learn what parchment and vellum are, how goatskin parchment is made, how these materials differ from leather, and what to consider when choosing parchment for a project.

What Is Animal Skin Parchment?

Animal skin parchment is a writing and craft material traditionally made from prepared skins, commonly including goat, sheep, and calf. The skin is cleaned, stretched, scraped, and dried to create a relatively firm surface suitable for particular writing, artistic, and binding applications.

Parchment has been used for centuries in handwritten manuscripts, religious texts, maps, legal documents, and bookbindings. Its appearance and physical properties vary according to the animal skin, preparation method, and surrounding environmental conditions.

What Is Vellum?

The word vellum is historically associated with calfskin and derives from Latin terminology related to calves. In historical and modern usage, however, the words parchment and vellum are sometimes used interchangeably.

When purchasing genuine animal skin vellum, check the product description to confirm the animal species, dimensions, finish, and preparation method. The word "vellum" may also describe certain modern paper products, which are different from traditional animal skin vellum.

Parchment vs. Vellum vs. Leather: What's the Difference?

Although these materials may look similar, their terminology and manufacturing methods are not identical.

Material	Description
Parchment	Prepared animal skin, usually stretched and dried without conventional tanning.
Vellum	Historically associated with calfskin; the term is also used more broadly for certain parchment materials.
Leather	Animal skin processed through tanning to produce a material with different handling and flexibility characteristics.

The commercial expression parchment leather is sometimes used to describe genuine animal skin parchment. For technical or conservation applications, the actual material and preparation method matter more than the marketing term.

How Is Goatskin Parchment Made?

Traditional goatskin parchment production involves preparing and drying animal skin under controlled tension. The exact process can vary between makers and workshops.

1. Skin selection: Suitable goatskins are selected and inspected for characteristics such as thickness and condition.
2. Soaking: The skin is soaked to prepare it for further processing. Traditional methods may use lime solutions.
3. Hair removal: Hair and unwanted tissue are carefully removed from the skin.
4. Stretching: The skin is secured to a frame and stretched under tension.
5. Scraping: The surface is worked to remove remaining tissue and adjust thickness.
6. Drying: The prepared skin dries while stretched, developing the characteristic properties of parchment.
7. Finishing: Depending on the method, the surface may be smoothed or otherwise finished.
8. Cutting: The finished material may be supplied as a full hide or cut into smaller sheets.

Characteristics of Genuine Goatskin Parchment

Genuine goatskin parchment can display natural variations in color, thickness, texture, and markings. These variations depend on the original skin and its preparation.

Hair Side and Flesh Side

Prepared parchment has two surfaces commonly described as the hair side and the flesh side. Their appearance and texture can differ, and visible hair follicle patterns may help identify the hair side.

Response to Humidity

Animal skin parchment responds to changes in relative humidity. Significant fluctuations can cause movement, curling, or distortion. Appropriate storage and handling are especially important for manuscripts, artworks, and conservation projects.

What Is Goatskin Parchment Used For?

Goatskin parchment and related animal skin materials have a long history of use in writing and craftsmanship. Depending on the specific product and its properties, possible applications include:

• Calligraphy: Traditional lettering and manuscript projects.
• Bookbinding: Specialist bindings, covers, and decorative book arts.
• Painting and illustration: Artistic work using compatible materials and techniques.
• Decorative crafts: Projects that benefit from natural parchment appearance and texture.
• Historical reproduction: Selected manuscript and traditional craft applications.
• Conservation work: Specialist applications where a qualified professional has confirmed material suitability.

Always check the individual product specifications before choosing parchment for a particular application.

How to Choose Animal Skin Parchment or Vellum

Before purchasing, consider these practical differences:

• Animal species: Confirm whether the material is goatskin parchment, calfskin vellum, or another type.
• Format: Choose between a full hide and available cut-size sheets.
• Finish: Compare natural, white, antique, or other listed finishes.
• Dimensions: Check the available measurements and usable surface area.
• Intended use: Confirm suitability for writing, bookbinding, painting, or decorative projects.

Explore Our Goatskin Parchment and Vellum Products

Ready to compare available materials? Visit our Goatskin Parchment Leather Collection to explore full hides, parchment sheets, and related products.

Natural Goatskin Parchment Full Hide

Explore our Natural Goatskin Parchment Full Hide and review its listed dimensions, material details, and available options.

White Goatskin Parchment Full Hide

Discover our White Goatskin Parchment Full Hide for projects where a lighter parchment appearance is preferred.

Antique Goatskin Parchment Full Hide

View our Antique Goatskin Parchment Full Hide to compare its finish and available specifications.

Goatskin Parchment and Calfskin Vellum Sheets

Explore our Parchment Leather and Vellum Sheets and check the available material and size options.

Parchment for Calligraphy and Painting

Explore our Goatskin Parchment Calligraphy and Painting Kit and review the listing for product contents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Parchment and Vellum

Is parchment made from real animal skin?

Traditional animal skin parchment is made from prepared animal skins, commonly goat, sheep, or calf. Modern paper products may also use the word parchment, so check the material description.

Are parchment and vellum the same material?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Historically, vellum has been associated with calfskin, while parchment is a broader term for prepared animal skin.

Is goatskin parchment the same as tanned leather?

No. Traditional parchment is generally prepared through stretching, scraping, and drying without the conventional tanning process used to produce leather.

Can goatskin parchment be used for calligraphy?

Goatskin parchment has historically been used for writing and artistic work. Suitability depends on the specific parchment surface, preparation, and writing materials.

Does parchment react to humidity?

Yes. Animal skin parchment is sensitive to relative humidity changes, which may affect its shape and dimensions. Stable storage conditions are important.

Where can I buy genuine goatskin parchment?

Browse our Goatskin Parchment Leather Collection to compare available full hides, sheets, and related products.

Further Reading

For additional technical background, see the Library of Congress research on parchment materials and preservation.