C 6.3.2. Ink stains

Local discolorations with contrasting outlines caused by contact with ink.

In handwritten historical documents, ink stains are common types of parchment damage. In the case of high-quality and well-preserved parchment, ink stains will only cause localised damage and the loss of text in the immediate area of the stain. In these cases, the ink stains do not necessarily make the parchment brittle nor significantly reduce the elasticity of the parchment. The localised damage, i.e. well-defined stain, is very visible in transmitted light. As a result of the combined effects of degraded parchment, the environment and the ink, the outlines of the ink stains may be diffused, and the ink damage on parchment may be much more severe.