How to Seal an Envelope

Author Info

Last Updated: January 13, 2024 Fact Checked

Maybe you just need to know how seal an envelope, or maybe you're desperately seeking alternatives to the standard licking method. You could always buy self-sealing envelopes -- available at most office-supply stores, and they require no moistening of any kind. Otherwise, you have a number of options.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Sealing The Old-Fashioned Way

Download Article

1
Consider the old-fashioned method if you only have one or two envelopes to seal. Old-fashioned licking is the most common method, as long as you don't have too many envelopes to seal. It can be cumbersome and inefficient if you're handling a large number of envelopes at once.
- Contrary to urban legend, envelope glue is not toxic—it’s composed primarily of gum arabic, an ingredient found in a number of common foods. Even if you cut your tongue on the edge of the envelope, the glue won’t sneak in and kill you. ^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
Swipe your tongue carefully across the seal of the envelope.

Advertisement
Fold the flap down, and then run your fingers over the top to set it in place. The wetness from your tongue will moisten the glue on the seal, allowing it to bond with the paper of the envelope when sealed.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Commercial Envelope Moisteners

Download Article

1
Use conventional envelope moisteners. These are typically plastic bottles topped with a small sponge and are available at most office supply stores. To use this type of envelope moistener:
- Hold the bottle vertically, sponge-end down, and run it along the strip of envelope glue while gently squeezing.
- Be careful not to squeeze the bottle too much, or you may over-moisten the envelope and leave it sodden or puckered.
- This method is more efficient when you need to seal a large number of envelopes at once (making it useful for sending out wedding invitations, holiday cards, etc.), but it can become messy if you squeeze the bottle too enthusiastically.
2
Use a combination moistener/sealer machine. These represent the latest in envelope-sealing technology and will both moisten and seal your envelopes for you. Electric moistener/sealer machines will automatically feed envelopes through, while manual machines must be hand-fed, potentially making them as labor intensive as other, lower-tech methods.
- Because these are a relatively new technology, they’re not without their glitches, and some models may work better than others. Be sure to do your research before investing.
If you prefer an old-school approach, you can find envelope moistening wheels online and in stores specializing in vintage office equipment. Most are ceramic and feature a cylindrical wheel perched in a rectangular basin, which makes them rather resemble an office tape dispenser. To use one, fill the basin with water, run the envelope’s glue strip across the top of the moistened wheel (like running a knife blade over a whetting stone), and fold and press the envelope flap to seal. Though a bit old-fashioned, these envelope moisteners have the advantage of durability—the ceramic wheel won’t disintegrate as sponges do.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making DIY Envelope Moisteners

Download Article

This approach will spare your tongue and may allow you to seal a larger number of envelopes than the tongue alone could handle. To use this method, get a small bowl and fill it with warm water. Lightly moisten your sponge, q-tip, paint brush or cotton swab in the water and swipe it across the glue of the seal. Fold the moistened flap and press down on it to seal the envelope. But be judicious with the amount of water you moisten with. Start light and re-apply if necessary—if you over-moisten, the paper may become soggy or begin to pucker.^{[2]
X
Research source}
You can simply tape the envelope shut by folding the flap of the envelope down and running a strip of regular tape across the top. For a less DIY-look, you can use double-sided tape or glue along the inside of the flap before folding down and sealing. Many prefer to use a glue stick over traditional liquid glue because it’s less messy and dries more quickly, but both are viable options.
If you want to add a little unconventional personality to your envelope, you can seal it with stickers—just fold the flap down and place stickers across the line where the flap and body of the envelope meet. But be aware that stickers may not leave the most professional of impressions and may be less secure than other methods.
Nail polish, it turns out, is one of the great household multi-taskers, and one of its lesser-known qualities is its ability to save you trouble sealing envelopes—and to offer a particularly strong and secure hold while doing it.^{[3]
X
Research source} Just swipe the nail polish along the inside of the envelope flap and press it shut. You might want to opt for clear nail polish to avoid giving the envelope’s seal an odd color—unless, of course, that’s the look you’re going for.
Dating from the Middle Ages, the use of wax to seal envelopes is perhaps the most classic and impressive of all the envelope-sealing methods. For hundreds of years the use of wax seals was almost exclusively limited to royalty and nobility (given that most everyone else was illiterate and didn’t have much use for letters), and today it carries with it an air of prestige that will likely impress your recipient. As a bonus, sealing an envelope with wax can give you a dignified reason to melt things with fire.^{[4]
X
Research source} See How to Use Sealing Wax with a Glue Gun and How to Use Sealing Wax with a Melting Pot.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Is there a DIY recipe for an envelope sealing solution?

Community Answer

I use water, and that works for me. However, you may want to mix in some liquid glue with the water if you want a stronger adhesive.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 7
Question

Do you seal it with your initials or the recipient's?

Otterly Badgerific

Top Answerer

It is usual to place your own initials using the seal, not those of the recipient's. If you'd rather not use initials, use a symbol such as a star, an animal or a logo.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Can I use clear tape over a label that won’t stick?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, as long as it doesn't interfere with a postal worker's ability to read an address and an optical reader's ability to read a bar code.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

An envelope
A small bowl of water and small sponge, a q-tip, a cotton swab, or an envelope moistener (optional)
A self-sealing envelope (optional)
Tape or glue (optional)
Nail polish (optional)
A wax seal (optional)