Glassine

[jbb]

Today's paper curiosity is Glassine. Can you write on it with a fountain pen? It looks like cool, translucent paper. I might have to buy some envelopes to try. Is Glassine the same as vellum paper... which I already have?

 

Glassine is a very thin and smooth type of paper which is air and water resistant. It is generally translucent unless dyes are added to color the paper or make it opaque.

Edited April 3, 2011 by jbb

[WendyNC]

I wouldn't think so since it's supposed to be water resistant, but other folks may know better.

[gregamckinney]

I would be shocked if one could write on glassine with a FP. It has been a long time since my philately days, but my recollection is that it was difficult to even write on glassine with a BP. Marking envelopes with china marker or writing on a sticker that was placed on the envelope is what I recall.

 

Regards, greg

[dnayakan]

Don't think it would work. It is used as interleaving for things like pastels and charcoal. It is basically grease, water and air resistant. It is paper that has been calendered repeatedly (i.e., passed though rollers) which is why it is sometimes called supercalendered. It is a smooth, slippery surface that will not abrade the artwork or dislodge bits of pastel/charcoal from the paper. In that respect, it is like waxed paper. Given the water resistant feature, my guess is that it will repel ink and therefore not work to write on. I can experiment tomorrow with my stock and let you know. Cheers, DJ

[jbb]

Don't think it would work. It is used as interleaving for things like pastels and charcoal. It is basically grease, water and air resistant. It is paper that has been calendered repeatedly (i.e., passed though rollers) which is why it is sometimes called supercalendered. It is a smooth, slippery surface that will not abrade the artwork or dislodge bits of pastel/charcoal from the paper. In that respect, it is like waxed paper. Given the water resistant feature, my guess is that it will repel ink and therefore not work to write on. I can experiment tomorrow with my stock and let you know. Cheers, DJ

Thanks. I look forward to learning your results.

[jbb]

I found what I believe to be a glassine envelope in the recesses of my desk in an old folder marked "envelopes." It is entirely fountain (and dip) pen friendly. The drying time is a little bit long but there is no feathering or bleed-through and the ink is fixed once dry. The paper seems to be exactly like what is also called vellum (the see-through kind.)

 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5586114835_23d8782e71_b.jpg

Edited April 3, 2011 by jbb

[fuchsiaprincess]

Pardon my ignorance, but is glassine and tracing paper similar?

 

Thank you!

[pen2paper]

Per Hollander's website : "Acid free glassine is used for interleaving prints, photographs and book illustrations. Translucent, off-white color. Approximate thickness is .0015 inch."

In the case of their glassine sheets, acid free.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vellum

I know it's wiki-p, but will give the basics for your inquiry..

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracing_paper

Edited April 3, 2011 by pen2paper

[Iranna]

I've used this kind of paper as an effect among the other (regular paper) sheets in letters and it's indeed very good for fountain pen ink, but you have to be very careful with hand oils. I use it with a paper under my hand.

[jbb]

I got some small-sized glassine envelopes -- with much thinner paper weight than the envelope I tried in the earlier post. Still, it IS fountain pen friendly as long as you don't mind waiting for the ink to dry. These feel a lot more like waxed paper than the first one did.

[Raiche58]

I've purchase the type of paper shown in your photo from the Paper Company and Staples (long ago) where it was sold as stationery. But in either instance I don't recall the paper being described as Glassine.

 

I've used the paper with Fountain pen ink and smeared lip balm over it to make it water-resistant--well as long as it's not submerged in water. ;-)

[jbb]

Glassine and translucent vellum might be the same thing.

[Iranna]

Glassine and translucent vellum might be the same thing.

 

Yes, I'm sure they are. I've seen this type of paper advertised as vellum but figured glassine is the same thing, based on the description and the photo in this thread.