|
The following suggestions have been collected from many sources which may help you in hot die stamping genuine gold leaf onto leather. |
Use the proper heat range to do the job. If the iron is too cold, the leaf will not transfer evenly. If it is too hot, the gold will break down and at times the iron will skit. The iron being too hot causes the most problems.
Very little pressure is required to perform the actual transfer.
Narrow lines require less heat. Wider lines more heat. Circular patterns may be accomplished by using the outside guide or an extension to the outside guide if more "reach" is required.
Always use a mounted sample piece of leather to test before running each row of a particular style, to allow for variations in room temperature, humidity and leather properties.
Gold leaf comes with a polyester backing, which comes in either ½ oz. or ¾ oz. weight. Both backings should be tried and the results evaluated.
Most significant, is the fact that this is a developed art, not everyone can do it. Selection of the operator is of the greatest importance.
When the correct heat and speed are used in conjunction with a skilled operator, perfect repeatable results can be obtained.