Gold Leaf for Beginners: Gilding Crafts, Canvas and Resin

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-18

On 2026-10-18

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

A touch of gold leaf turns a simple painting, frame or resin coaster into something that looks luxurious. This guide to gold leaf for beginners explains the types of leaf and flakes we stock, how to gild a surface step by step, how to use leaf in resin, and how to protect your work so it stays bright.

Types of gold leaf and gilding materials

Metal leaf sheets: very thin squares of gold-colour or silver-colour metal leaf. They give a smooth, mirror-like shine when laid flat, or a crackled, aged look when broken up.
Foil flakes and dust papers: loose, crumpled pieces that are easy to scatter into resin or onto a painting.
Gold leaf paint: a brush-on paint that gives a gold-leaf effect without handling delicate sheets.

Gilding materials we stock

Gold Leaves 15 × 15cm (25 leaves): gold-colour metal leaf for gilding frames, resin art and décor.
Silver Leaves 15 × 15cm (25 leaves): silver-colour metal leaf.
Silver Dust Papers and Silver Foil Paper (100ml jar): flakes for gilding and resin.
Flash Gold Leaf Paint 50ml: ready-to-use, brush-on gold-leaf effect for frames, statues and décor.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all crafting materials and resin materials.

How to apply gold leaf, step by step

Make sure the surface is clean, dry and smooth. Paint it first if you like; a red or dark brown base makes gold look warmer and hides tiny gaps.
Brush a thin, even layer of gilding adhesive (size) only where you want the leaf, and wait until it turns clear and tacky, as directed on the adhesive.
Keep the leaf away from fans and breezes, and handle it with dry hands, a soft brush or the paper it comes on. Leaf is very thin and sticks to damp fingers.
Lay the leaf gently onto the tacky area. Overlap the sheets slightly.
Press it down lightly with a soft, dry brush or a cotton pad.
Brush away the loose pieces (the “skewings”) and use them to fill any gaps.
When fully dry, seal the gilding with a clear varnish.

Using gold leaf and flakes in resin

Leaf and flakes look beautiful suspended in clear resin. Pour a thin first layer, place the pieces with a toothpick or tweezers, then cover with more resin. Thin layers help the leaf stay where you put it. For a crackled effect, crumple the leaf gently before adding it. Our resin art guide and guide to colouring resin explain the basics.

Gold leaf project ideas

Gilded edges on a small abstract canvas.
A gold-veined resin coaster or tray.
Highlights on a painted frame, box or ornament.
Cards and invitations with a small gilded shape.

Prefer paint? Our metallic paint guide compares gold and silver paints.

Tips and care

Work slowly; leaf tears easily but small breaks often look attractive.
Imitation metal leaf can darken over time if left unsealed, so always varnish it.
Store unused leaf flat in its book or packet, away from damp.
Keep the work area free of dust and draughts.

Frequently asked questions

Is this real gold leaf?

The leaf sheets we stock are gold-colour and silver-colour metal leaf, made for craft, gilding effects and resin.

Can I use glue instead of gilding size?

Gilding size is made to stay tacky so leaf sticks evenly. Ordinary glue dries differently and can give a patchy result.

Do I need to seal gold leaf?

Yes, a clear varnish protects metal leaf from scratches and dulling.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose leaf, flakes or paint for your project.

More Haanz Art Guides