1000+ questions about gold, silver, and metal leaf; gilding supplies, tools, techniques; edibles; craftwork; and troubleshooting.
Use gold foil paper only for its intended purpose. For food, use edible products only; for decorative work, follow product directions and datasheets.
Use gold foil paper only for its intended purpose; food applications require edible products, and decorative applications require product directions and datasheets.
Gold foil paper is a decorative material unless specifically sold for food use. Keep decorative leaf, foil, size, sealer, and craft materials away from food-contact use.
For surface work, follow the product directions for handling, ventilation, adhesives, coatings, cleanup, and disposal. For food, use edible gold or edible silver only.
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.