Parchment Paper for Laser Printers

Parchment Paper for Many Applications

• Available in two colors to suit a variety of uses: Natural (off-white) and Aged* (tan)
• Luxurious, 32-pound weight is designed to impress
• Acid-free, ensuring your documents will last beautifully
• Wide range of sizes: 8.5x11, 8.5x14, 11x14, 11x17, 12x18, 13x19, and A3, A5, A4
• Prints well with either Laser or Inkjet

 ... ideal certificate paper, presentations, poetry and more
 ... 8.5x11, 8.5x14, 11x14, 11x17, 12x18, 13x19, and A3, A5, A4 size 

Also see our Inkjet Parchment Paper or Aged Parchment Paper

Traditional parchment has a long, rich history. It was used, along with papyrus, as one of the earliest known forms of paper. In fact, the use of parchment led to the format of books as we recognize them today. Papyrus, made from the stem tissue of a plant, could be pasted together to form long sheets, which were then rolled into scrolls. Though scrolls were impressive for royal proclamations and easy to store, they were not practical for writing at length. Parchment soon outpaced papyrus because it could be made from materials available throughout the world, whereas the papyrus plant was isolated to southern Sudan and the Nile delta region of Egypt. In addition, parchment was much more durable than papyrus. As parchment use became more common, the codex was born. It was a significantly more useable format made by stacking and binding several sheets of parchment, laying the groundwork for the paginated layout of the modern book. In fact, the shift from scroll to codex is hailed as one of the most important advances in the history of the written word.

Parchment was almost exclusively used by royalty, church scribes, and the educated elite. The complexity of producing traditional parchment paper demonstrates why its prohibitive cost made it unavailable to the masses. Early parchment was made by processing animal pelts, typically those of livestock such as calves, sheep, or goats. The skins were first soaked in water for about a day. Next, they were placed in a bath of “dehairing liquor,” an alkaline solution made of fermented plant matter. The bath period could take up to eight days, but the parchment producers had to maintain a delicate balance, as soaking the skins too long would ruin them. Finally, they were stretched on a frame for scraping and drying. The remaining hair was removed with a knife and the pelt was allowed to dry for several days. At this point, the parchment would be useable, but some would undergo further treatment to create a more suitable writing surface. The parchment might be rubbed with pumice, treated with a powder, or coated with a thin paste.

The use of parchment dates back to at least the reign of Ramses II in Egypt, more than 3,000 years ago. Many important historical documents, including the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence, have been laid out on traditional parchment. Numerous religious texts were recorded on parchment, including the Qur’an and early Torah scrolls. Some scholars believe that this includes the original Gospel of Mark. Today’s museums are full of original ancient documents, in part because parchment held up so well and resisted tearing and burning. Parchment was commonly used until about the 15^th century, when it was replaced by plant-based paper due to the invention of the printing press. As the demand for the printed word increased, the cumbersome process of parchment production could not keep up – just one of Gutenberg’s original Bibles required 300 goat skins. However, due to its beauty and durability, it remained in use as a luxury item for the wealthy long afterward. Even today, British parliament uses parchment for its decrees.

It’s no wonder, then, that today’s parchment-style paper is so closely associated with historical documents. The antiqued coloration and subtly variegated appearance of modern parchment paper evokes thousands of years of human history as well as many of mankind’s most important milestones.

Laser parchment paper strives to duplicate traditional parchment’s aged look while providing a product that is practical and useable in today’s home and office environments. Parchment paper is highly suited for formal use, lending an air of distinction to any printed document. It looks especially elegant when framed.

Business uses for parchment paper include:

• Awards and certificates
• Informational signage
• Restaurant menus
• Resumes

Documents printed on parchment paper are ideal for gift-giving as well. Suggestions for personal uses include:

• Copy of old family recipes
• Genealogy chart or family tree
• Poetry
• Crafts, such as stamping and paper-cutting

To maintain the historic theme, use an old-world style font that calls to mind the gorgeous calligraphy of classic illuminated manuscripts. For a more down-to-earth applications, look for fonts that resemble script handwriting. Examples of fonts that pair well with parchment paper include Olde English, Edwardian Script, Bookman Old Style, Birds of Paradise, Chopin Script, Jellyka Saint Andrew’s Queen, and Zapf Chancery.