Transfer leaf is useful for gilding large surface areas, such as walls or a large piece of furniture. It is very lightly adhered to a tissue making it possible to pick up and apply the leaf easily with the tissue uppermost. Stick the leaf on to a surface coated with Annie Sloan Gold Size. We offer leaf metal in Imitation Gold, Imitation Silver and Copper.
Imitation Gold leaf is sometimes referred to as 'Dutch Gold' and is made of brass. This metal will tarnish over time so apply a layer of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax over your gilded surface to protect it.
Imitation Silver leaf is made of aluminium. To make it look like vintage silver, apply a light coat of Clear and Dark Chalk Paint® Wax.
Copper leaf is made from copper which tarnishes, so apply a layer of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax over your gilded surface to protect it.
Annie's transfer leaf metal is available in books of 25 sheets, enough to cover around 5.27 square feet. Each sheet is 5.5 inches x 5.5 inches.
Is Metallic Leaf uncharted territory for you? Here are some helpful resources!
Imitation Gold leaf is sometimes referred to as 'Dutch Gold' and is made of brass. This metal will tarnish over time so apply a layer of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax over your gilded surface to protect it.
Imitation Silver leaf is made of aluminium. To make it look like vintage silver, apply a light coat of Clear and Dark Chalk Paint® Wax.
Copper leaf is made from copper which tarnishes, so apply a layer of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax over your gilded surface to protect it.
Annie's transfer leaf metal is available in books of 25 sheets, enough to cover around 5.27 square feet. Each sheet is 5.5 inches x 5.5 inches.
Is Metallic Leaf uncharted territory for you? Here are some helpful resources!
- Click here for our Metal Leaf Fact Sheet, with more information and step-by-step instructions.
- Click here for our blog post with step-by-step instructions.
Related Annie Sloan Items
Gold Size
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Small Synthetic Brush
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Clear Chalk Paint® Wax
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Chalk Paint® Lacquer
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How to Create a Modern Gilded Look with Transfer Metal Leaf
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Create this chic modern look using Chalk Paint®, Gold Size and a Transfer Metal Leaf in your choice of color.
- Whatever surface you’re gilding; ensure it is completely smooth. Any imperfections and marks beneath the metal leaf will be more prominent once gilded. Annie has painted this chair with Chalk Paint® in Athenian Black and sanded it back for a smooth effect and maximum modern style.
- Before applying size, ensure you have enough metal leaf to cover the area you plan to gild. Each pack of Annie Sloan Metal Leaf (Loose or Transfer) contains 25 sheets. For this modern gilded look, Annie is using Imitation Gold Transfer Leaf.
- Use a Small Flat Brush to apply Gold Size to the area you wish to gild. Size is an old English word for glue, so “Gold Size” literally means “a glue for gold”.
- Apply the size consistently: be careful with the amount you use as too much size will take longer to dry and could cause slipping when you apply your leaf. Make sure not to overbrush (over brushing is repeatedly brushing the same area; it can lead to balling and pilling of gold size and Chalk Paint®) and remember to brush away any drips from the edges of your piece. Clean brushes immediately after use.
- Once applied, the size will first appear white, then purplish-blue, then finally clear. Wait for the size to be completely clear (around 10-15 minutes; depending on the climate and size of the area) before applying metal leaf. This is when the size is stickiest. If there’s any white or blue patches the leaf will not adhere properly.
- Once dried clear, the size will be sticky to touch, and will remain so for weeks on end. You can apply metal leaf immediately or for as long as the size is sticky for.
- Take a sheet of metal leaf and hold it by the wide tissue margin for ease, being careful not to touch the metal itself. Gently lay the metal side face down onto the size. Once this is placed it can’t be moved so take your time.
- Take a clean, dry brush (here Annie is using a Small Flat Brush) and lightly brush the back of the sheet. Ensure you focus on the edges as this is where the leaf would be most likely to peel, but don’t let your brush touch the size. Keep brushing and applying light pressure until the tissue paper comes away from the metal leaf. Continue to brush the metal surface to fully flatten it with light pressure. Brush any loose bits of metal away making sure they don’t stick to rest of the size. Any large bits can be kept for future projects.
- Take your next sheet and overlap it slightly with the other. Repeat step 8 and continue until your whole area is gilded. Remove any excess leaf with a clean, dry brush.
- Once finished, you need to seal the metal leaf. Both brass (Imitation Gold) and copper will tarnish, so sealing these with Clear Chalk Paint® Wax or Lacquer is essential or they may dis-color over time. Aluminium (Imitation Silver) does not tarnish but it’s still advisable to seal with either wax or lacquer to prolong your finish. Both Chalk Paint® Wax and Lacquer will also slightly dull the shine of the metals, mimicking the look of authentic gold and silver.
- Apply Chalk Paint® Wax with either a brush or lint-free cloth, removing any excess with a lint-free cloth also. Alternatively, apply Chalk Paint® Lacquer with a brush and wash immediately after use.
- Finished! A modern gilded look.