Waterproofing Envelopes?

[Sherry Lu]

Hi everyone! I'm just wondering if anyone does anything special to their envelopes before/after they calligraph them to make sure the ink doesn't run if it gets wet during the mailing process? Or are there special inks that are waterproof out of the bottle? I'm using a sumi ink, and it's not pretty when it gets wet...

[joi]

i think this stuff is great.  it might take a bit of practice because you don't need much, but it's way better than a spray because it doesn't get everywhere.
i actually found this for my daughters special art project last year and it worked great on some party invites i did too (not calligraphy but stamping ink).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M5B3NM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Erica McPhee]

I never put anything on the envelopes before or after. I figured it was the same as mailing any envelope that is hand addressed. I thought, though, the moon palace sumi was waterproof but I could be making that up!

[FrenchBlue Joy]

I've had some things arrive smeary in the UK--  especially custom-mixed gouaches.  I'm totally going to get some of that Judi-kins, because the spray I was using is rank and awful!

[Roseann]

Just today, I used Blair Spray Fix on an envelope, and it changed the color of the gouache.  Turned almost neon.
After that I used regular hairspray, and it didn't affect the gouache at all. 

[Sherry Lu]

Cool, thanks!

Erica: I'm not using Moon Palace And it just gets smeary... I tried on an extra envelope just to see.

Joi: How do you apply that stuff? With a brush? After you write with ink?? :O

[FrenchBlue Joy]

I learned about it from Schin's blog. She did a post, with photos and stuff.  I tried to link to it, but I can't figure out how to do it because I'm on my phone and it's a tumblr blog. 

[joi]

i found the post that joy references above, but i can't figure out how to link to that specific post, so here is the tumblr link and just scroll down until you find it.  she has pictures and does a great job explaining how to use it.  i use my finger to apply it.  i tried a brush once and i kinda used to much pressure or swirled it too much.  i feel like with your finger you get a better feel for how much you are applying.
hope that helps!

http://openinkstand.tumblr.com/

[Roseann]

Hi Sherry!
Here's a you tube on Micro Glaze.

[schin]

Thanks for the shoutout, Joy and Joi! hehe.

Another thumbs up for microglaze. I love the stuff. It never seems to run out either.

[Sherry Lu]

Awesome! I enjoyed the video and Schin's post. (Which I'll leave the link to here, in case someone comes upon this post in the future and it's too far back in the archives: http://openinkstand.tumblr.com/post/74256056499/hello-do-you-use-any-type-of-spray-fixative-after-you)

(off to order some microglaze now!) Vancouver is often nicknamed "Raincouver". Can't be too safe here!

[Donna]

My sister-in-law used to send me letters using non waterproof ink...to keep the envelope from smudging if it rained, she would waterproof her lettering by rubbing a candle (on its side) over everything.  This did the trick, but would also take away from the blackness of the letter somewhat.  I have used this technique in a pinch.  Especially if I were sending something in the winter when we get LOTS of rain!

[Perfectsettings]

A day late and a dollar short... I just saw this thread.  A few days ago I had to redo an envelope to a client after having sat out during the blizzard.  I'm not telling but I don't think my postman worked that day... who can blame him?  At any rate, I'm so happy that there is such a thing.  Never even thought about waterproofing an envelope!

[Marcia Aronow]

Am I taking my professional life in my hands by addressing wedding envelopes in gouache?!?  I'm using a mix of W&N Prussian blue with a drop of Higgins eternal, maybe I should've used a drop of Sumi instead.  Roseann when you used hairspray, did the scent stay on the envelopes?  I think I need to try something. 

[Roseann]

Hi Marcia,
I gave the envelopes two coats of hairspray, with an hour drying time in between.  I had to put the envelope very close to smell the faintest scent.  There was probably no scent at all by the time it reached it's destination.
I used Suave, Max Hold, Unscented.
You can always mail a test envelope to a friend to see how it arrives.  I've done that a few times.