The Letterville BullBoard: What brand of gold leaf do you use?

This is topic What brand of gold leaf do you use? in forum Old Archives at The Letterville BullBoard.

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Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :

I was looking at the Tubelite site which is my best local supplier.

They sell books of gold leaf in many different brands and types. Most around $30 a book. How far will a book go? Wanting to play around with this stuff and I didn't know how many books I would need to work on a small project.

I know I have to buy size (I think). I will likely purchase the Gold Leaf Techniques book from SignCraft. Any other tips or areas for learning will be greatly appreciated.

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Amy Brown
AMBO Design
Lake Helen, FL
jabrown@cfl.rr.com

"If only my toddler was better with paint & computers!"

Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :

hey amy!

we use guisto minnetti italian gold. stay away from many of the german leafs. spotty color, poor burnishing, just generally lackluster. it is a little cheaper but don't be fooled. there is a reason for it! lol!

have a great one!

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Bruce Bowers
DrCAS
Signtech

"how great are His signs..."
Daniel 4:3

i am a proud supporter of this website!

Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :

Hi Amy,

A call to Rick Glawson at Esoteric Sign Supply will get you all the information (and supplies) you will ever need. They are merchants here at Letterville, just click on their banner.

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Jerry Mathel
Jerry Mathel Signs
Grants Pass, Oregon
signs@grantspass.com

Posted by Greg Sellers (Member # 900) on :

I dont think it would be good for a paying job, but I buy the stuff at Michaels for my playing around. They usually have a 40% off coupon in the Sunday paper here. Its real cheap for what I do with it.

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Greg Sellers
Signing Bonus
McCalla, Alabama
www.signingbonussigns.com

Posted by Jack Davis (Member # 1408) on :

Amy, EasyLeaf out of San Francisco..... a little over 20.00 per book, and nice Italian leaf. They have a site, and ship quickly. You will have to buy a pack (10 books) Make sure you get patent leaf what ever you do. Loose leaf will really discourage you.Jack

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Jack Davis
1410 Main St
Joplin, MO 64801
www.imagemakerart.com
bronzeo@swbell.net

Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :

Amy,

One way to get started in gold is to go to your nearest hobby store and get some IMITATION gold leaf. 25 sheets 6x6 inch cost about $7.00 and its a very close simulation. It will tarnish without a clear coat, and real gold doesn't. It won't burnish quite like real gold, but you will have fun and it will build confidence, knowing you can waste this stuff and not lose a lot of money. Learn to crawl, then walk, then run with the best.

Put some on an old mirror or a plastic letter and see how it works. Then after some practice and you feel you like working with the stuff, go for the real gold and do a real job, like your own sign.

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Draper The Signmaker
Bloomington Illinois USA

Get To A Letterhead
Meet This Summer! See
you there!
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Sept. 14,15,16
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309-828-7110
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Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :

Amy, Call Tubelite and ask them some gilding questions. Phone Esoteric and ask the same questions. Following those two calls, you'll know exactly whom to purchase from.

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"

Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :

Rick and Lola at Esoteric Sign Supply are the "gurus of gold". No one knows more about it, and they're happy to share any info you may need. Call them at 310-549-0180. Look no further 'cause this is the mother lode.

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Sonny Franks
Sign Creations
Atlanta

Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :

Amy,

You are getting the cart before the horse asking about the leaf itself first. Learn the process first. Get the book, then after you read chapter 1, write to me with your questions, I will answer.

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Kent Smith
Smith Sign Studio
Greeley, Colorado, USA
kent@smithsignstudio.com

Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :

I think Kent is right, Amy. In your post you seem to be constantly experimenting. Gold may not be as easy on your pocketbook as some things may be. I like to use the Imitation books of gold leafing that Dave mentioned. I practice on a variety of things around the house. A vase, a bowl, some signfoam, anything that doesn't cost much. Try the aluminum too.

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Santo Brocato
Promotion Graphics & Letters
Youngsville LA.

Posted by Rob Larkham (Member # 2105) on :

Amy I have jammed up alot of gold messing around trying to figure things out. Don't waste your $$$. Find someone who can help you. Maybe at the Duck Jam. I'm sure you will find some old guilders there who would love to help. I played with some cheap silver and aluminum leaf for a while until I figured out the sizing issue. Now I use slow size if at all possible.

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"Paint with Passion"

Rob Larkham
The Bershire Brush
RL Graphic D-Sign
Chester, MA
rldsigns@aol.com
413-354-0287

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