VAT MACHINE
A paper or board making machine comprised of one open-ended cylinder, or more than one open-ended cylinder in series, covered with fine mesh wire, which revolves in a vat of stock. Water draining through the wire leaves a mat of fibers on its surface and the ultimate thickness of the product may be determined by the number of cylinders used. The resultant web is removed from the last cylinder and then passed through conventional pressing and drying sections.

VEGETABLE PARCHMENT
Waterleaf paper that has been modified by the action of sulphuric acid. This treatment gives it a continuous texture, increased surface hardness and a high degree of resistance to penetration by organic liquids, generally and particularly fats, oils and greases. The structure also confers on the paper resistance to disintegration by water, even at boiling point.

VELLUM PAPER
Vellum paper - strong, tough and of high-class appearance - is made to imitate the fine smooth finish of a parchment made from animal skin. Vellum paper is often used for certificates.

VIRGIN FIBER
Paper or board pulp fiber being used for the first time (as opposed to recycled fiber). See also Pulp.

VOLUME BASIS
An expression used principally in the context of papers for book printing to denote the theoretical thickness in mm of 100 sheets (200pp) of the given paper in 100g/m2. It thus gives an indication of the bulk of the paper.