LearningA Basic Guide to Gilding Tools, Materials, and TerminologyBreaking down the jargon around gold and metal leaf, gilding tools, and lots more golden nuggets.Better LettersSep 19, 2024 15 min readRemoving excess gold after painting the lettering on the back of a gilded glass panel.Following her introduction to the techniques and processes used in architectural gilding, I invited Leah Beth Fishman to pen the following guide to gilding tools, materials, and terminology.This extended feature breaks down various important concepts that will help you when setting up to work with different types of metal leaf, and includes:What is Gilding?Types of GildingTools & TerminologyTypes of LeafFormats of LeafSuppliersIf you are interested in learning how to gild, including for sign work, check out the online and in-person opportunities at bl.ag/learn, the Gold Leaf Techniques book, and the resources available from the Society of Gilders.What is Gilding?A deceptively broad or narrow term depending on how you look at itmany people think it encompasses everything from electroplating to kiln-red enamels, and even just gold paint. Some think it only refers to the use of actual gold leaf. Some people ask me, so, you just, like, paint on the gold?In truth, it is simply the process of applying gold or any other type of metal leaf to any surface. Variants of gilding originated over 8,000 years ago and can be seen in artifacts from Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia before coming into widespread use in Europe and beyond.Gold beating in ancient Egypt.Different materials have been used over the centuries to apply goldegg whites, Japanese lacquer, various forms of alcohol, even salivabut the methods, tools, and basic principles remain much the same.Types of GildingThere are so many different ways of applying gold, and so many different techniques, but they boil down to two basic types of gilding: mordant/surface gilding, and water gilding.With surface gilding, a type of glue (called 'size') is applied to a surface, and then the leaf is applied once the size is 'tacky', ie no longer wet and sticky, but not dry. With water gilding, water, sometimes mixed with a type of glue, is owed over the surface and the leaf is applied onto the wet surface.These types of gilding produce two distinct looks: the surface gilding creating a matte nish, the water creating a glossier look.Tools & TerminologyThis article is for paid subscribers on the Browser, Blagger, Patron/Studio and Sponsor/Group tiers only Subscribe nowAlready have an account? Sign in