Patent/Transfer Silver Leaf

Patent silver leaf, also referred to as transfer leaf, is silver mounted to special tissue paper by a pressure process. A book of patent silver leaf is assembled by placing each unit of silver leaf and tissue between pieces of thin rouged paper. The gilder can then remove one leaf at a time without distributing the remaining leaves. Patent silver 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 silver leaf is not suitable for water gilding and is best suited for flat surfaces.

Patent silver leaf is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity and needs to be stored properly. Store patent leaf in a damp environment of about 80% humidity wrapped in plastic wrap. This helps to prevent the moisture content of the tissue paper from fluctuating. Patent leaf may become loose on the tissue paper if stored in a dry warm environment. To correct this problem, the book of patent leaf needs to be stored in a humid environment under pressure to "remount" the leaf to the paper. If the leaf were stored in a very hot and humid environment, the leaf may adhere too tightly to the paper. To correct this problem, store the patent leaf in a refrigerator or a dry cool place.