There are many different types of envelopes readily available on the market today. When selecting the appropriate variation for your particular project, consider the material and functionality. Due to their adaptability to a wide range of applications, custom glassine envelopes have recently snowballed in popularity. Most notably used by philatelists or stamp collectors, glassine envelopes are translucent and chemical free. Their finish is akin to that of wax paper, making them perfect for storing items that you want to remain detached from the storage container or kept protected from wetness. These special light-weight, moisture-resistant envelopes are created through a calendering process in which raw paper is repeatedly pressed through a series of rollers. The fibers of the paper are flattened in a unidirectional pattern. The resulting smooth, strong, super-thin surface is a distinctive trademark of these envelopes. Custom glassine envelopes come in a variety of sizes and are generally uncolored. Due to the semi-transparent nature of the material, items enclosed in these envelopes remain readily identifiable. This characteristic is particularly helpful to collectors who want to “see” their items without handling them. Glassine material is also oil and grease resistant, offering a higher level of protection than standard paper envelopes. Custom glassine envelopes prove useful for a variety of things: - Stamp Collecting: The acids, oils and moisture from human skin can easily contribute to the deterioration of fragile paper items, such as stamps. These envelopes protect stamps and documents from acid erosion and moisture, while maintaining some degree of owner visibility. The smooth surface also discourages enclosed items from adhering to it. Collectable stamps are often shipped in a custom glassine envelope. - Treats and Party Favors: Glassine envelopes make wonderfully decorative containers because they assume the colors and hues of their contents. Filled with colorful candies or rainbow treats, they form their own delightfully abstract canvas. - Storing Papers or Pictures: Photographs and important papers that could be easily damaged by oil or moisture remain protected and organized in glassine envelopes. - Card or Invitation Envelopes: The smooth texture and translucency of these envelopes lend an expensive-looking elegance to cards and invitations at a budget-friendly price. - Storage of Supplies: From buttons and ribbons to paperclips and safety pins, glassine envelopes provide secure storage without completely hiding the contents from view. There are many more usages for these attractive but practical envelopes. For more information on custom glassine envelopes and their uses, visit http://www.glassineenvelopes.net/.