Vellum

Vellum or parchment paper is a translucent type of paper. It is available in different weights and can be layered for a more opaque effect. It gives a nice finish and can mute a busy background in order to make a sentiment or image stand out more.

Techniques to use with vellum

Heat embossing

Heat embossing on vellum is possible, but pay attention not to keep the heat source on the vellum for too long, since the material might warp if it gets too hot.

Die cutting

Vellum is a very easy material to die cut or cut with regular scissors.

Coloring

Vellum is an easy medium to take colored pencils, water based markers, alcohol markers, alcohol ink … Since vellum is translucent, you can also color in the back of the paper to give a more subtle result.

Dry embossing

Since vellum will turn white when you apply pressure, dry embossing (either with an embossing pen or with an embossing folder) might give surprising results.

Tips on glueing vellum onto your paper

A lot of adhesive will show through on vellum. Ways to work around this are:

• hiding the glue behind whatever's on top of the vellum, like a die cut, a heat embossed sentiment …
• using pretty things to adhere your vellum, like brads, eyelets, staples …
• if you're matting your paper, you can add a strip of vellum to the front, fold it to the back and adhere it on the backside
• some liquid glues won't show up if you apply them with a sponge in a very thin layer