When it comes to selecting the right printing paper, there are numerous options available that can provide unique results. While most people are familiar with standard printer paper types, a generally lesser-known yet very special option is vellum paper. In this article, we’ll explain the historical and modern material of vellum paper, its uses, and its differences from other papers.
Definition: Vellum paper
Vellum paper is a semi-transparent paper that can also be described as foggy. This smooth, premium paper is typically used for its elegant appearance and texture and can come in many looks, like aged, black, ivory, kraft, salmon, or any color of the rainbow. It is a special kind of translucent paper that is commonly used for artistic, architectural, and design purposes.
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Material & history
Historically, vellum was made from animal skin — typically young calfskin — that had been soaked, limed, and unhaired. The skin was then dried under tension and used for botanical illustrations, paintings, legal documents, bookbinding, and copies of religious documents like the Bible and the Torah.
Modern vellum paper is either produced from Mylar (polyester film), plant-based cellulose fibers (wood pulp), plasticized cotton rag fibers (recycled cotton), or ethically sourced by using skins of animals that have died of natural causes or as a by-product of meat production. Premium vellum paper is sometimes referred to as vegetable vellum or Japanese vellum and is made from 100% cotton.
Vellum is also described as “vellum finish.” The difference here is that it refers to the surface quality of paper instead of its transparency. It has a slightly rough texture that is popular with artists and businesses. Vellum finish is typically found in Bristol paper, fine arts papers, and cardstock.
Furthermore, vellum is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air, and is very sensitive to humidity and temperature. For preservation, an ideal environment is approximately. 20 °C or 68 °F.
Uses
Vellum paper is versatile and can be used for the following:
- Annual reports
- Blueprints
- Business proposals
- Cardmaking
- Crafts
- Direct mails
- Favor tags
- Flyers
- Gift tags
- Greeting cards
- Invitations
- Letterheads
- Marketing brochures
- Packaging materials
- Plans
- Resumes
- Scrapbooking
- Technical drawings
- Wedding belly bands
- Wedding invitations
Differences
Vellum paper is often confused with other specialty papers due to its translucent appearance. Below are some key comparisons to help clarify how vellum paper differs from similar and regular materials.
Vellum paper differs from regular copy paper in both texture and transparency. While standard paper is smooth and opaque, vellum paper is semi-translucent. Vellum paper’s unique and premium-looking characteristics make it ideal for calligraphy, overlays, and artistic work.
Although they’re often considered the same paper type and used for similar projects, vellum paper and tracing paper are not the same. Unlike vellum, tracing paper is created by using chemicals on standard paper to break down the wood fibers, resulting in it becoming semi-transparent. Even though it weighs around 25% of the unprocessed paper, it is significantly stronger and can exist in both light and heavy paper weights.
Historically, both vellum and parchment were made from animal skin, but they’re not identical. Parchment paper is normally more opaque and whiter and was made from stretched sheepskin, unlike vellum, which came from calves, goats, or deer. Parchment was used for calligraphy, illuminated manuscripts, and legal documents until it was gradually replaced by vellum in the 2nd century BCE due to its finer quality.
As noted by Pergamena, a tannery and parchment business, “All vellum is parchment, but not all parchment is vellum.”
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Printing on vellum paper
Although vellum is often used in combination with calligraphy or watercolor painting, it can also be used for printing. Due to the quality of vellum, choosing the right type of printer and printer settings is important.
Inkjet printer
Inkjet printers can be used to print on vellum, but they come with challenges. Since vellum has a non-porous and plastic-like finish, the liquid printing ink takes much longer to dry.
Issues
- Smearing if touched too soon
- Pooling of ink or uneven lines
- Potential paper feed issues due to its light weight
Tips
- Use the “transparency” or “fine art” settings
- Adjust dry time settings or let it dry overnight
- Handle only the edges during and after printing
Laser printer
When using laser printers, ink dries instantly and doesn’t smudge like inkjets since they use dry ink. However, there are still some issues one could have when printing on vellum paper.
Issues
- Ink can flake off
- Wrinkles on the paper
- Misfeeds if the paper is too lightweight
Tips
- Print one sheet at a time
- Buy laser-compatible vellum
- Set your printer to “lightweight” mode
Note: Vellum has a more absorbent and a less absorbent side, which you can feel by slightly wetting your fingers and pressing the vellum between them. If you print on the wrong side, the ink might take longer to dry, so make sure that the stickier side is the one you print on.
FAQs
Nowadays, vellum paper is typically made from eco-friendly materials, such as plant-based cellulose fibers or cotton rag fibers. It can also be made from plastic or animal skin.
Vellum paper is translucent, smoother, and more durable than regular paper. Regular paper is more absorbent, which makes it easier to print on but less suitable for artistic or overlay purposes.
Vellum paper is typically used for calligraphy, wedding invitations, overlays, scrapbooking, tracing, and architectural drawings.
For best results, use:
- Solvent inks for art projects
- Toner cartridges for laser printers (vellum-compatible)
- Permanent pens for hand-lettering or calligraphy
- Pigmented inks for inkjet printers (takes some time to dry)
