DIY Leaf Craft Ideas

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Craft leaf techniques for applying leaf craft to leather are different from gilding on leaf or other surfaces. In the main bookbinding leather is vegetable tanned and quite soft to the touch. With regard to bookbinding, in general the gilded decoration you see on a modern book will be either leaf; genuine leaf craft is reserved for the best quality leather bindings, and leaf foil for cheaper work. Both craft foil and genuine craft leaf involve the use of heat activated adhesives, craft foil has a built in layer of adhesive on the carrier film, it has the virtue of being easy to use, you just position the craft foil and apply your heated tools. In traditional gilding, the heat activated adhesive takes the form of either the whites of eggs or a shellac based adhesive.

First the adhesive is applied and allowed to dry, and then the leaf is laid over it. Heated brass tools in the form of lettering or decoration are then pressed down onto the craft foil or leaf craft. When the surplus craft leaf or craft foil film is removed the letters or decoration are left in gilt. If there is a secret to success with gilding on leather it lies in understanding and working with the 3 variables involved, they are; Heat, Pressure & Dwell.

The heat of your tools is fairly critical for success; also how much pressure you apply and how long you stay in contact with the work are important and can best be learned by good instruction and a little trial and error. With other leathers such as the type of sheepskin you might encounter when recovering desk tops.