TECHNIQUES FOR USING INVISIBLE INKS

There are many different ways to use invisible ink and here are some dos and don’ts

THINGS TO AVOID

Pen scratches, roughness and tip someone off there might be a concealed message.  You should avoid using glossy paper or really smooth paper because they absorb less ink making your ink more visible. 

THINGS TO DO

Most importantly make sure that you have a cover message because a blank piece of paper is practically telling someone there a hidden message.  There are special ink pens that you can buy that are completely invisible to the naked eye and can only been seen by ultraviolet light.  Using these will almost certainly go unnoticed.  Of course make sure that your recipient knows how to read your message.

HOW TO READ INVISIBLE INK

There are three main ways to read invisible ink.  You can apply heat, apply a chemical, or use an ultra violet light.  Depending on the ink they used you should choose the correct method to reveal it.

HEAT

Heating the paper is a good way to reveal if there is any invisible ink on it.  This is usually done by ironing it, or placing it in an oven.  If the message is in honey, apple juice, soap water or god forbid urine or semen this would be the best method

CHEMICALS

This way is a little ore difficult then applying heat and requires a little more knowledge.  If the invisible ink is written in vinegar, you can use red cabbage water to reveal the message, if the ink used is starch or lemon juice by using iodine the paper will turn blue and the ink will turn white.

ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Some inks will glow when viewed under an ultra violet light.  Laundry detergent is a good example of this.  Certain stamps can only been seen under ultraviolet light which is what they use at some amusement parks.