Writing Envelope Address In Fp Ink, Was It A Mistake?

[aussielondon]

I addressed envelopes using blue fountain pen ink (Parker) and I am not sure if this can be made illegible and thus compromise delivery if they get somehow in contact with water (or if some idiot throws some water or drink into the postbox as vandalism for example)... or even just simple rain getting on it before it reaches the destination.

 

Should I have used a ballpoint for the addressing of the envelope and left the fountain pen for just the letter itself?

[zaddick]

It should be totally fine, but, yes, a ballpoint would be safer. Or use permanent fp ink.

[tinysnail]

Having bulletproof ink is a good idea for this purpose! Alternatively, I know people sometimes rub a candle over the addresses; the wax will act as a waterproof barrier.

[aussielondon]

It should be totally fine, but, yes, a ballpoint would be safer. Or use permanent fp ink.

Since I have gone through 80% of my cartridge on my Parker in one evening!!! I have a bottle of Camel royal blue as backup... now please don't tell me that's terrible for water-resistance?

[aussielondon]

Having bulletproof ink is a good idea for this purpose! Alternatively, I know people sometimes rub a candle over the addresses; the wax will act as a waterproof barrier.

I used to use candles, but got none now, thanks for the idea... anyway I posted them already anyway. It was not raining so should be ok.

 

I saw someone once pour a drink into a letterbox, I wanted to belt his forehead into the metal postbox I was so angry, It amazes me how evil people can be.

[onepuff]

Since I have gone through 80% of my cartridge on my Parker in one evening!!! I have a bottle of Camel royal blue as backup... now please don't tell me that's terrible for water-resistance?

You'll be fine. It hardly rains in Britain.

 

I tend to use Iron Gall ink for addresses but have used standard inks from Parker, Pilot, Diamine, Sailor and many other manufacturers before and my letters have always got to where they they should so I wouldn't worry too much.

Edited September 11, 2014 by onepuff

[gweimer1]

You could do what I have done - write on the envelope, and then put a piece of clear packing tape over the addressee.

[Lou Erickson]

I don't even go as far as "bulletproof", just enough water resistance to make sure it's mostly legible.

 

It'll probably be fine. How often do you get mail that's been soaked?

[aussielondon]

You'll be fine. It hardly rains in Britain.

I've lived here long enough to understand British humour.... or well.... after next week will Britain even exist?...... OH no we are not going political on a pen forum haha, but it's all over the BBC... off topic a little, whatever you decide to vote, I wish all the best for Scotland. (Not sarcastic)... I have quite a few Scottish friends and they are voting YES to independence, but I hear on the news it's so close it's hard to call. (I can't vote as I live in England)

Edited September 12, 2014 by aussielondon

[aussielondon]

You could do what I have done - write on the envelope, and then put a piece of clear packing tape over the addressee.

That's a good idea, wish I did that as I got tons of tape laying about the house.

 

I don't even go as far as "bulletproof", just enough water resistance to make sure it's mostly legible.

 

It'll probably be fine. How often do you get mail that's been soaked?

True, good point, i've sent Tobacco seeds and other seeds in the post and they got there fine even going through the auto rollers but then gettign wet wouldnt hurt seeds.... so maybe um... oh god, haha.. now i've gone crosseyed with too much thinking

[Icywolfe]

Platinum Carbon Black is a good ink for waterproofness and it dries fast and doesn't feather. Just like Diamine IG.

[JulesSilvan]

Between being in the postbox, put into sacks, into the postie's satchel and the post van there probably isn't enough time for the letter to be exposed to water long enough for the ink to run.

[Art]

Frankly I had never given this any thought but now I am. I send a fair number of postcards and write the message and address with whatever pen I grab to use at the moment. So there's no knowing about the waterproof-ness of the ink. (I don't think waterproof-ness is a word ).

[Lorna Reed]

Having received several soaking wet letters through the post (from the postie holding the letters in his hand as he walks his round in pouring rain), I now use De Atramentis black document ink for addressing letters.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

With so many excellent water resistant fountain pen inks available, I don't really get why anyone picks one that isn't water resistant for general use. Is it that important to get exactly the right color? Well, some people obviously think it is, and there is a good chance that an accident won't happen.

 

I'd be using a water resistant ink for both the letter and envelope, though.

[LamyOne]

Hello Aussielondon & everyone else,

 

Here is an "out of the box" thought; do like I do, I print all of my envelopes on an HP OfficeJet printer; the ink is pigmented and waterproof, so rain (and hopefully vandalism), cannot harm it. Furthermore, since all postal services use OCR technology, they have a much easier time "reading" computer generated addresses rather than hand-written ones. This allows for quicker sorting and delivery of your letters and much less risk of it being sent back to you for an "illegible address."

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

Edited September 12, 2014 by LamyOne

[KBeezie]

I always address my envelopes with my fountain pens and have not had a problem. Course I'm always making sure to use waterproof inks, usually Noodler's Black Eel or Liberty's Elysium for the return address portion (because I have them in finer nibs). And I use R&K Salix (IG) in my stub for the main address part (primarily because I like the way the Salix looks in the stub, but being waterproof serves a purpose of using it on an envelope).

 

But even water resistant inks like Waterman Black would suffice, it does run/bleed a little when wet leaving sort of a grey with a yellow halo, but it's still legible for delivery purposes. But I still prefer black eel for my black because it doesn't run at all.

 

Hello Aussielondon & everyone else,

 

Here is an "out of the box" thought; do like I do, I print all of my envelopes on an HP OfficeJet printer; the ink is pigmented and waterproof, so rain (and hopefully vandalism), cannot harm it. Furthermore, since all postal services use OCR technology, they have a much easier time "reading" computer generated addresses rather than hand-written ones. This allows for quicker sorting and delivery of your letters and much less risk of it being sent back to you for an "illegible address."

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

 

Never had this problem, my 1st class mail that I send out every few weeks has always been delivered within 2 days and I hand write those envelopes. OCR tends to have more problems if your handwriting just downright sucks (or your print sucks), or you're using some very unconventional numbering or letter stylings, like perfectly shaped germanic gothic script .

Primarily if the zip code is clearly legible ( I usually have this larger on it's own line, or just larger after the state ), it gets to the destination plenty fast.

Edited September 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[KBeezie]

*duplicate*

Edited September 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[Komitadjie]

I'm probably just plain crazy, but I use the FP to write the letter inside, then just slap a thermal printed shipping label from either my LP2844 or Brother 570 onto the outside.

[LamyOne]

I'm probably just plain crazy, but I use the FP to write the letter inside, then just slap a thermal printed shipping label from either my LP2844 or Brother 570 onto the outside.

 

Hello Komitadjie,

 

You're not plain crazy; you're just plain smart.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris