Golden lettering – individual, artistic and sophisticated thanks to gold leaf

Calligraphy is making a comeback, because even in our fast-paced age, full of short messages, emails and computer fonts, many people are once again recognising the value of artistic fonts. So there are always occasions, companies and brands that call for high-quality calligraphy and writing. Time and again, commissions are being assigned by cities, guilds and institutes for sophisticated invitations and certificates, where the key focus is on the font design. Gold leaf is often used as a design element for a font.

Which types of gold leaf are suitable for calligraphy?

Gold leaf shades from 22 to 24 carats, platinum and palladium are suitable for gilding fonts. Silver leaf and low carat types of gold leaf such as yellow gold, green gold and white gold should not be used because of their tendency to oxidise. However, if intended, as a design element, this colour change is often an interesting design element for fonts.

How is the gold leaf applied?

Various adhesives can be used to affix the gold leaf. Traditionally, the binder was egg white with some added glycerin. Both are whisked together, applied to the writing that is to be gilded and you then gild directly into the egg white while it is still slightly moist. Gilding letters with water-based goldsize is common, as is oil gilding with a mixtion. When gilding fonts with a mixtion, however, you must ensure that the adhesive does not leave oily edges on the paper.

Shell gold or gold powder are also often used to embellish fonts, as these products are very easy to work with.