Non-stick stamp

Press, 22 May 1986, Page 12

Non-stick stamp

Sir,—Yesterday, I used a new 30c postage stamp. Although I licked it twice, only half of it stuck. In the finish I had to stick it on with tape. The Post Office (for all its making of millions), can obvlously'not afford a decent “pot of glue” for its stamps.— Yours, etc., (Mrs) ETHEL SOTHERAN. May 6, 1986.

[Mr G. B. Ware, acting deputy chief postmaster, replies: “The Post Office does, from time to time, receive complaints about the adhesive quality on postage stamps. Each printer has his own unique paper and gum formula. Generally, the adhesive is satisfactory, but sometimes a small batch with faulty adhesive may escape detection during the manufacturer’s normally high standard of qualify control checks. Post Office experience is that such instances are fairly rare. The gum used on postage stamps is a polyvinyl alcohol substance (PVA) which has been in standard use throughout the \printing industry for some years, and the light colour and matt finish of PVA adhesive can sometimes give the appearance that little or no gum is present. Experience has also shown that over-moistening can, in fact, remove the adhesive but, if the gum is moistened lightly, a firm seal is usually obtained. The stamps in question went on sale on May 1. This is the only indication received by the Post Office that there may be some problems with the quality of the