For documentation, the mechanical losses of the manuscript text that occur during handling, and the wear or loss of text in the damaged parts of parchment are defined as ink losses. The fading of the writing and decrease in the colour intensity are described as fading. In both bases the legibility of the manuscript decreases.

Ink loss can be caused by stains on the text, mechanical wear and damage to the parchment surface, or the text being written on an uneven surface. Fading is a partial or extensive lightening of the ink that is visible to the eye, which can make the writing difficult to read. Situations may occur where ink loss and fading occur simultaneously.