Gilding on Papier-mâché

1   If you want partial gilding of a papier-mâché item, you will need to paint it first using Plus Color craft paint which has an excellent opacity.

2   Fix Glue is ideal for working with gilding. This special glue is applied with a brush. When the glue is dry, it leaves a sticky surface (like the sticky side of a sticker). The glue is ready to use when it is transparent. A TIP: Place the brush in water immediately and wash in soft brown soap later to leaving it sticky amongst the other brushes.

3   Place the gold imitation metal leaf onto the sticky surface. Use a soft brush for gently brushing off excess gold imitation metal leaf. It may occasionally be an advantage to varnish the item at the end to protect the surface – however, it is not necessary.

4   Another variant (with a completely different look): Here we have used double-sided foil tape cut-outs. Double-sided foil tape is available in sheets with printed squares on the protective paper. NB: The foil is best suited to flat (not curved) surfaces.

5   Cut out your chosen designs from double-sided foil tape. Remove the protective paper from the foil on one side and attach onto the papier-mâché item.

6   Remove the protective paper from from the foil on the upper side.

7   Attach gold imitation metal leaf and remove the excess with a brush.