1000+ questions about gold, silver, and metal leaf; gilding supplies, tools, techniques; edibles; craftwork; and troubleshooting.
Gold leaf pricing depends on material, karat or alloy, format, quantity, coverage, and current availability. Use the Quote Basket for a current quote.
Genuine gold leaf is expensive compared with imitation leaf because it contains real precious metal and requires specialized manufacturing.
Whether it is expensive depends on the project. A small accent may use very little leaf, while a ceiling, sign, wall, dome, or exterior architectural detail can require significant material, preparation, and labor.
Imitation gold leaf can be less costly for indoor decorative finishes, but it is not real gold and usually needs sealing. For exterior longevity, restoration, or a true gold finish, genuine high-karat leaf is often the correct material even when the up-front price is higher.
Gold leaf cost depends on karat, alloy color, leaf format, brand, size, quantity, precious-metal pricing, coverage, waste, and project requirements.
Material price, project material estimates, and installed gilding cost are different questions. A finished project can include prep, repair, priming, sizing, tack timing, leafing, brushing, burnishing, sealing, access, labor, and after-care.
Use the Quote Basket for current pricing and availability.