Genuine Gold Leaf Packs
Genuine Gold Leaf Packs are the standard packaging format for professional gilding projects, providing a consistent quantity of leaf for both fine decorative work and larger architectural applications. Gold leaf packs are available in two formats, Loose (Surface) Gold Leaf and Patent (Transfer) Gold Leaf, allowing artists and gilders to choose the format best suited to their technique and surface.
Genuine Loose Gold Leaf (Surface) consists of delicate sheets of gold placed between lightly rouged interleaving papers. Each leaf measures approximately 3-3/8 inches × 3-3/8 inches (85 mm × 85 mm). This traditional format allows the gilder to lift the leaf using a gilder’s tip, a soft natural-hair brush that transfers the leaf through static charge. Because the leaf is completely free from backing paper, it conforms easily to carved, molded, or highly detailed surfaces, making it ideal for intricate ornamentation. Loose gold leaf is commonly used for water gilding, glass gilding, and other traditional gilding techniques that require maximum flexibility and precision.
Genuine Patent Gold Leaf (Transfer) features the same genuine gold leaf lightly adhered to an acid-free tissue backing. This backing stabilizes the leaf and allows it to be placed directly onto the prepared surface without the use of a gilder’s tip. Patent leaf is easier to handle and especially well suited for flat or gently curved surfaces such as sign-work, walls, ceilings, panels, and many exterior applications.
Both Loose (Surface) and Patent (Transfer) gold leaf are sold in units called Packs. Each Pack contains 500 leaves divided into 20 booklets, with 25 leaves per booklet separated by interleaving tissue. A single pack of 500 leaves will cover approximately 39 square feet without waste or overlap, providing a reliable coverage estimate for planning gilding projects.
Higher-karat gold leaf, generally 23 karats and above, does not tarnish and is suitable for both interior and exterior gilding applications. Lower-karat gold leaf contains a greater proportion of other metals and may darken or tarnish over time, particularly in outdoor environments.
When properly applied, Genuine Gold Leaf Packs provide the brilliance, durability, and precision required for both traditional craftsmanship and contemporary decorative work.
