1000+ questions about gold, silver, and metal leaf; gilding supplies, tools, techniques; edibles; craftwork; and troubleshooting.
No. Gold foil paper is not real gold unless the product is specifically sold as genuine karat gold leaf.
No. Gold foil paper should not be treated as real gold unless the product is specifically sold as genuine karat gold leaf.
Gold foil paper may be silver, imitation metal leaf, foil, craft material, or another decorative product. Check the product description for genuine gold content and karat before treating it as real gold.
Gold leaf and silver leaf are traditional gilding materials; foil is not automatically real gold, real silver, edible, or suitable for the same adhesive system.
The surface determines the gilding system. Wood, frames, furniture, glass, walls, ceilings, metal, paper, leather, and exterior signs need different preparation, size, leaf, and protection.
Start by identifying surface and exposure, then clean and stabilize the substrate, smooth/seal/prime or ground as needed, choose the right leaf and format, apply the correct size, wait for tack, lay leaf, brush, burnish if appropriate, and seal only when required.
Wood is porous; frames may need gesso, bole, or water gilding; furniture needs wear planning; glass may require reverse-glass technique; metal needs cleaning/degreasing; walls and ceilings need coverage and access planning.