Surface Gold Leaf is used for flat surface gilding or decorating, raised letters or truck lettering. Surface gold leaf may have a few irregularities and is often used where double gilding is required or the leaf will be distressed or toned. The surface leaf is loose between pages, and is picked up with a gilder's tip.
Patent gold leaf is recommended for outdoor work on flat surfaces. Patent leaf is gold leaf mounted to special tissue paper by a pressure process. A book of patent gold leaf is assembled by placing each unit of gold leaf and tissue between pieces of thin rouged paper. The gilder can then remove one leaf at a time without disturbing the remaining leaves. Patent gold leaf is removed from the book without the aid of a gilder's tip. The leaf will stay on the tissue until it is pressed onto the prepared surface and the tissue backing is removed. Patent gold leaf is not suitable for water gilding and is best suited for flat surfaces.
Each book contains 25 3 3/8 in. x 3 3/8 in. leaves and covers about 1 1/2 square feet. Packs contain 20 books of 25 sheets (500 individual sheets). Each pack of 500 leaves covers a surface area of 39 1/2 sq. ft. without waste or overlap. Brands are Best or Monarch, based on availability.
