How to Seal Gum Adhesive to Paper
As of 2010, electronic communication is more popular than ever. Email, text messaging, Twitter and Skype have all but taken the place of traditional postal mail. To keep profits afloat, the prices of envelopes have risen enough that sending things through the mail can be expensive if you do it often. To keep your own costs down, try making your own envelopes. You can even apply homemade sealing adhesive to them.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Printer paper
- Large index card
- Scissors
- White school glue
- Small saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Vinegar
- Unflavored gelatin
- Flavoring extract (mint, vanilla, root beer, orange, etc.)
- Paintbrush
- Plastic food container
Instructions
-
-
1
Place a 4-inch-by-5-inch index card about an inch from the top of your printer paper and centered between the sides. Fold the bottom of the paper up, creasing it at the bottom of your index card. Do the same with the sides and the top.
-
2
Look at your creases. Cut away the paper between the creases at the top left and right corners of your paper. Cut away the 2-inch-wide strips between the creases at the lower left and right edges of the paper as well. Remove the index card and fold the bottom flap up. Fold the sides in as well, and glue them down with white school glue.
-
-
3
Pour 6 tbsp. of white vinegar into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add one packet of unflavored gelatin and six drops of flavoring extract. Stir with a wooden spoon until the gelatin dissolves.
-
4
Dip a soft-bristle, ¼-inch paintbrush into the warm adhesive mixture. Draw your brush slowly over the edge of the top, unglued flap of your envelope. If you run out of adhesive, dip your brush again and apply a thin, even layer to the paper.
-
5
Allow the adhesive to dry overnight. To use, lick to moisten and press the flap down to the body of the envelope. Store the extra adhesive in a plastic food container in a cool, dry place.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit envelope image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
