Opening a sealed bag without tearing it is a challenging task and, due to the wide variety of glues used, there is no universally valid method. Work calmly and slowly, so in the end you will be able to open the letter without damage or remorse.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Water and a Lever
Step 1. First, try to reduce the risk of damage
This method is best suited to envelopes made of thick paper or those that have not been sealed well with glue. However, it's hard to tell if it will work until you try. Although not as effective as the steam technique, the procedure described here involves a lower risk of damaging the bag or its contents; it is therefore worth adopting it as a first choice.
Step 2. Get a tongue depressor or similar tool
Some, but not all, envelopes can be gently opened using nothing more than a flat, curved wooden tool, just like a tongue depressor.
According to an old CIA manual, the tool must have a smooth, preferably curved edge and a blunt tip. You can make this by filing a piece of wood or by using the ivory cover of a white piano key, but essentially any flat object with the shape described above is perfect
Step 3. Slip the tool under the corner tab
Look at the envelope, you will notice on the corner a small flap of the closure that is not glued. Insert the tongue depressor at this point, taking care not to damage the paper. If the envelope is completely sealed, then use a piece of wire (or something similar) to create an opening large enough to accommodate the tongue depressor.
Step 4. Stop, if you realize that the tab is not yielding
Follow the next steps methodically, with slow, short movements. If the card doesn't open as it should or tears, stop and proceed to the next step.
Step 5. Hold the envelope while you rhythmically move the wooden stick up and down
Use your non-dominant hand to pin the letter onto a flat surface so it can't move. Gently swing the tongue depressor by applying a little pressure on the sides of the envelope. If it tends to open, continue with this movement for the remainder of the closure. If he resists, move on to the next step.
Step 6. Lightly wet a cotton ball
Pour a small amount of water, preferably distilled, into a bowl or cup. Dip the cotton and then press it onto absorbent paper or a paper towel to remove excess moisture. You only need to use a few drops of water, enough to weaken the glue and paper on the flap of the envelope. If you overdo it, the ink will fade and the paper may break.
If you have only partially opened the letter, you can slip some paper towels between the envelope and its contents to absorb excess water
Step 7. Dab the swab on the resisting flap of the envelope
Focus only on the glued area. Press and wait a few seconds until the glue has softened, before continuing to work with the tongue depressor. Repeat this process until the flap of the envelope has loosened or switch to the steam method.
- Never apply water in places where there is ink or the stamp.
- Some types of adhesives are not water soluble. If you don't get any positive results, try the fourth method of this tutorial. If you've had some small successes, but not enough to open the bag, try steaming.
Step 8. Try to work on other flaps, if there are any
Some envelopes consist of a folded sheet with several flaps towards the center, which are glued in the production phase. If one of these flaps opens following the technique just described, work on this flap instead of the one used to close the envelope.
Whichever method you want to use, remember that the envelope will need to be re-sealed with small drops of glue smeared with a toothpick. In other bags, the glue becomes sticky again when moistened with water
Method 2 of 4: Freeze the Bag
Step 1. Put the letter in a plastic bag
This way you protect the paper from moisture while it freezes.
Step 2. Leave it in the freezer for a couple of hours
Some, but not all, types of glue loosen and become sticky again when frozen.
Step 3. Pry to open the flap
Use a smooth, blunt tool, such as a tongue depressor or butter knife. alternatively you can take a pocket knife, but you will have to be very careful. The flap won't come off on its own, but if you're lucky, the glue should give enough to allow you to open the envelope without tearing the paper.
Step 4. When done, reseal the envelope
In some cases it will be sufficient to moisten the glue layer with a wet cotton swab. With other types of envelopes you will need to apply small drops of adhesive.
Method 3 of 4: Steam Open the Bag
Step 1. Use this method with those envelopes whose glue needs to be licked to become sticky
This technique does not work with self-adhesive bags, as in this case the glue is latex-based, insoluble in water. If you do not know the type of envelope you are handling, do a test on one corner of the envelope with the steam to avoid damaging the paper and ink.
Step 2. Start with a cup of boiling water
Use a rather narrow cup. You won't get much steam, but it's the recommended initial step for beginners, as it reduces the risk of damage to the letter. If you don't get any results, the next steps describe a more incisive, but also riskier procedure.
If you notice that the ink of the correspondence starts to get wet or run, remove the letter from the steam and try another method
Step 3. Get a hot, flat tool
Steam a tongue depressor, butter knife, or other blunt, flat tool; wait a few seconds and then dry the drops of water on the instrument. This step prevents the steam that hits the flap of the envelope from condensing on the cold instrument, consequently damaging the paper and ink.
Step 4. Try to open the envelope
Place the hot tool against the corner of the flap. Hold this area directly over the steam. Gently move the letter towards the tip of the tongue depressor, but stop whenever you feel excessive resistance. You should hold the tool steady while the area of the envelope you work on should be constantly subjected to the flow of steam. As you go, rotate the letter so that the open flap doesn't reattach again.
If you keep a smooth and continuous motion, you will avoid creases and wrinkles, but you will run a higher risk of breakage if you are not very experienced
Step 5. Try a jet of steam coming out of the kettle
If a delicate cloud of steam does not have the desired effect, then try filling a kettle to generate a sort of pressurized and constant jet. Repeat the steps above with this warmer stream. Move quickly, but carefully, as too much steam can wrinkle or moisten the paper.
- Wear oven mitts to protect your hands.
- If your kettle model does not emit a concentrated stream of steam, place a spoon or other steam-resistant object over its spout to reduce the diameter of the opening.
Step 6. Use an iron to flatten the envelope if necessary
Wait until it is dry and cold again before inserting the contents again. If the envelope paper or letter is crumpled when dry, cover it with a cloth and iron it with a low iron to make it smooth again.
Step 7. Once the bag is dry and perfect again, re-insert its contents and lick the glue strip, alternatively smear a small amount of adhesive to seal it
You can also consider placing everything in the freezer for a couple of hours. Some types of glue become sticky again when subjected to this treatment.
Method 4 of 4: Cut and Repair the Bag with Papier Mache Glue
Step 1. Be aware of the risks
This is a creative method that uses papier mache glue to hide a cut on the edge of the envelope. If the adhesive is too thick, too wet or too sticky, its presence will be clearly visible. You must use it for that correspondence that is not scrupulously checked or that is not handled too much. You will need a lot of time to do a "patch" to perfection.
Step 2. Hold the envelope in front of a light source
Use a light bulb or a sunny window to see where the document is inside and make a mental note of it to make sure you don't damage it.
Step 3. Cut a corner of the envelope
For this operation, use a pair of sharp and small scissors and detach a very small corner of the corner, preferably on the bottom, so you avoid damaging the letter inside.
Step 4. Open the short side of the envelope
Cut along the fold without removing any pieces of paper, but opening the envelope. At this point you can read the correspondence or insert other material that you had forgotten.
Step 5. Prepare a small amount of papier mache glue
Mix the flour and water to create a rather liquid batter. Test it on a folded piece of paper and check if, once dry, the "glue" is effective. Add more flour, if necessary, until the dough reaches a high adhesive power even if spread in a thin layer.
If you boil the mixture, the glue will become transparent when dry, instead of the classic milky color of the flour. But know that it will also be weaker. If the envelope is dark or colored, you must necessarily boil the glue
Step 6. Seal the cut with glue once you're done
Use a letter opener or other similar blunt tool to spread it over the open edge of the envelope. Make sure the internal document does not get wet.
Step 7. Wait for the glue to dry and repeat if necessary
Wait for the glue and paper to dry completely. If you want the seal to be even stronger, apply a second layer of adhesive. Repeat until there are no more visible gaps and the flaps are well sealed.
Step 8. Take some very fine grit sandpaper and gently sand any rough grains on the surface of the bag
Work slowly to avoid scratching the envelope itself, especially if there is ink nearby. Once all visible glue has been removed, the envelope should look intact.
Advice
Practice with empty envelopes to get started
Warnings
- Secretly opening mail addressed to others is a crime in many countries, including in Italy. However, if you are in a country where it is legal, know that it is still a disrespectful gesture of the privacy of others.
- The techniques collectors use to detach self-adhesive stamps from envelopes may not work for our purpose. The glue of modern stamps is based on acrylic plastic, while that of the envelopes is latex.
