Envelope Glue

As calligraphers we sometimes make our own envelopes. If you're delivering them in person you can just use a sticker of some sort to close them. But if you want to send them through the mail, you need something a bit more substantial. So why not make your own envelope glue.

Envelope Glue

• 1/3 cup pure white vinegar
• 1 oz (4 packets) unflavored gelatin
• 1 teaspoon flavoring (peppermint, lemon, vanilla)
Bring the vinegar to boil in a small saucepan. Then add the gelatin and stir until fully dissolved. Then remove from the heat and add the flavoring. Cool and store in a small glass jar. It will store for several months.

To use, warm the glue in a pan of warm water to make it liquid. Then brush it onto the areas where you want the glue, and let it dry.

If you are using this on envelope flaps, you can get a nice even edge by first making a paper or plastic "mask" that you set about half an inch from the edge of the flap. Then just brush the glue from the mask onto the envelope flap. Remove the mask and you'll have a nice glue strip just like you see on commercial envelopes.

This glue can also be used for labels, seals and anything else that needs a bit of glue to seal it together.