parchment making

Parchment making is a traditional process of turning animal skin, usually from sheep, goats, or calves, into a durable writing surface. The skin is first soaked, then carefully cleaned to remove fats and flesh. It’s stretched on a frame and scraped to remove hair and remaining tissue. The surface is then dried under tension, often pressing it flat. Once dried, it’s smoothed and polished to create a thin, tough material suitable for writing or painting. This process results in parchment, valued for its durability and historical significance as a writing medium before paper became widespread.