For many people not directly connected with printing, I imagine that vellum these days is more closely associated with fancy writing paper or wedding invitations than the skins of dead animals.

A recent BBC programme about The Domesday Book provided a reminder of the nature of real vellum, and it was fascinating - there's still a few days left to watch or download it if you didn't see it.

The programme included a visit to William Cowley in Newport Pagnell. This is England's last remaining vellum maker and the family firm has been perfecting its art for 130 years. While watching I was grateful that my telly doesn't come with smell-o-vision, but it was amazing seeing the skins being prepared and the skilful process of stretching and cleaning them to produce a perfect surface.

I hadn't realised, either, that Acts of Parliament are still recorded on vellum. As the bookshelves at Francis Towers don't contain many [any] tomes of vellum quality, I think the closest I will have come to the real thing will have been on a banjo or a drum. I'm also guessing that just a handful of PrintWeek readers - those involved in specialist bookbinding and conservation, or in producing works for clients such as the Queen or the Folio Society - will regularly get their hands on the real stuff.

What's it like to print on and handle? Would love to know. Judging from the price list at specialist leather products retailer J Hewitt, one wouldn't want to have too many spoils.