Business Details
Premium Parchment & Vellum Since 1870
William Cowley Parchment Makers has been crafting the finest quality parchment and vellum since 1870, operating as a family business across four generations. Our riverside premises in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, house time-honoured methods largely unchanged for centuries, producing materials renowned for their durability and unique qualities. We specialise in calfskin vellum, goatskin vellum, and sheepskin parchment, serving calligraphers, bookbinders, interior designers, and cultural institutions globally. Our bespoke services include furniture and wall panel covering, document printing on genuine parchment, and supplying materials for historical conservation. With a legacy spanning over 150 years, we have contributed to prestigious projects such as the Saint John's Bible and the Domesday Book restoration.Our commitment to quality ensures that every product meets exacting standards, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern applications. We pride ourselves on offering a personal service, providing expert advice and tailored solutions to both established and new clients worldwide. Our materials, proven to last centuries, remain the choice for documents requiring permanence and prestige. The business has survived significant historical challenges, maintaining its reputation as the UK's sole commercial manufacturer of genuine parchment and vellum. We continue to innovate while preserving the ancient skills passed down through generations, ensuring our craft endures for future centuries.
Services
Calfskin Vellum
Goatskin Vellum
Sheepskin Parchment
Furniture Covering Service
Printing Service
Highlights and features
- We offer over 150 years of expertise in traditional parchment-making techniques.
- Our materials are used in prestigious historical conservation projects globally.
- We provide bespoke services tailored to artistic and commercial needs.
- Our vellum is fire-resistant and complies with international safety standards.
- We maintain rigorous quality control, personally selecting only the finest raw materials.
What people say
Exceptional quality
Historical significance
Bespoke service
Durable materials
Global reputation
Services
Calfskin Vellum
Calfskin vellum is a premium material prized for its durability and luminous surface, ideal for calligraphy, illumination, and archival documents. Our vellum is handcrafted using traditional methods, ensuring exceptional quality suitable for royal charters, fine art, and bookbinding. Each skin is rigorously selected and processed to maintain consistency and longevity, making it the preferred choice for conservators and artists worldwide.
Furniture Covering Service
Our bespoke furniture covering service uses vellum to create unique, high-end finishes for desks, wall panels, and door coverings. The natural grain of goatskin and calfskin vellum adds exclusivity to contemporary and traditional interiors. This durable, fire-resistant material complies with international safety standards, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical longevity for luxury design projects.
Printing Service
We specialise in printing certificates, diplomas, and family trees on genuine parchment and vellum, ensuring permanence and prestige. Our service accommodates both new and existing documents, with options for custom design and professional formatting. The material's unique texture enhances the visual impact of printed text, making it ideal for official records and commemorative pieces.
Goatskin Vellum
Goatskin vellum features a distinctive grain pattern, making it popular for interior design and bookbinding. Available in natural, white, and dyed finishes, it offers versatility for bespoke furniture and artistic projects. Its strength and resistance to fading ensure long-term durability, while the material's luminescent quality enhances decorative applications like lampshades and wall panels.
Sheepskin Parchment
Sheepskin parchment provides a smooth, lightweight surface ideal for writing, printing, and document restoration. Its soft texture works well with ink and gold leaf, making it a favourite for calligraphy and botanical art. We supply both standard and custom-cut sizes, along with specialised repair parchment for conserving historical manuscripts and books.
Questions
What materials do you specialise in?
We produce calfskin vellum, goatskin vellum, and sheepskin parchment using traditional methods since 1870.
Can I order custom-sized parchment?
Yes, we offer custom cutting for all our vellum and parchment products to meet specific project requirements.
What are your main applications?
Our materials are used for calligraphy, bookbinding, interior design, document printing, and historical conservation.
Do you supply internationally?
Yes, we serve customers globally, including artists, conservators, and luxury furniture makers.
How is your vellum used in interior design?
Our vellum covers furniture, wall panels, and lampshades, offering a unique, durable finish with natural grain variation.
What historical projects have you contributed to?
We supplied materials for the Saint John's Bible and Domesday Book restoration, among other prestigious archives.
