vellum

thumb|right|400px| Magna Carta, written in Latin on vellum, held at the [[British Library]] thumb|right|267px|A vellum deed dated 1638, with pendent seal attached

Vellum is prepared animal skin or membrane, typically used as writing material. It is often distinguished from parchment, either by being made from calfskin, rather than the skin of other animals, or simply by being of a higher quality. Vellum is prepared for writing and printing on single pages, scrolls, and codices.