A method of making encapsulated chromonic nanoparticles includes exposing crosslinked chromonic nanoparticles to an acid selected from the group consisting of carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, boric acid, sulfuric acid, and mixtures thereof in the presence of water to encapsulate the crosslinked nanoparticles in a shell comprising a complex comprising the chromonic material, the multivalent cations, and the acid anions.