Gold Leaf Imitation - Transfer

Imitation Gold Leaf is also known as "Dutch Gold" and as "Schlag". Like genuine gold leaf it is available in books of 25 leaves but each sheet is 140mm square. Imitation Gold is typically made of 85% copper and 15% zinc so will tarnish over time if not protected from the atmosphere with a suitable lacquer.

Imitation Silver (which is based on aluminium) and Genuine Copper leaf also come in the same sizes as Imitation Gold and will also need a lacquer to protect it from tarnishing.

Transfer Leaf is the same as loose leaf except that each leaf has been pressed onto a lightly waxed sheet of tissue paper which can be picked up, thus avoiding contact with the metal. The tissue is then offered up to the sized area and rubbed from behind so that the leaf transfers from the paper to the object to be gilded.