Manufacturers produce gold leaf by hammering gold into thin sheets. Artists use the metal leaf to create elaborate decorations and signs. To finish carved letters, sign makers use gold leaf. We also use it on glass. The color and karat of gold can vary greatly. Yellow gold with a 22 karat purity is popular. We use many other metals, too, such as palladium, white gold, and variegated leaf.

Tirelessly beating out and stretching alloys of pure gold create thin sheets of gold leaf , which artists can use for finishing signs and windows. In fact, the material becomes so thin that light can actually pass through it. The consistency is so fine that even a simple touch of a finger will cause disintegration.

Gilding involves putting gold on wood, metal, glass, or ceramic surfaces. Additionally, it is the application of copper or another metal that resembles gold. Traditional gilding involves the application of a thin sheet of metal, usually gold, to a surface. There are many methods involved in this practice.

Brendon J. Brandon, the master gilder and brush artist who founded Designs & Signs, demonstrates gilding on a wood sign in the video below.

Gold leaf lettering, which is applied by hand, has a very significant place in maritime history. The tradition of gilding has carried its beauty through history and has proven to be timeless. There are several methods for applying leaf, one of which is engine turning. By pressing a soft fabric against the leaf, it will be burnished in a circular motion to give it a scaled texture; this technique reflects light and water beautifully. With gold leaf boat lettering on the transom of your yacht, you can cruise in style. Identify your fishing trawler with a flashy boat name and custom graphics. If you own a classic wooden boat, we can letter the name using a traditional 23 karat gold leaf.