How to Apply Gold Leaf to Cards

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    • 1). Cover your work table with newspaper or an old tablecloth to keep adhesive residue and gold flecks off of the surface. Place a blank card face up on the tabletop.

    • 2). Create an accent for your greeting card by applying white glue like "paint" to the center of the card. Use a paintbrush to draw a shape, brush glue over a shape stencil with a stencil brush or apply the glue to a rubber stamp and press the stamp onto the surface of the card.

    • 3). Design a border for your card by applying a line of white glue around the outer edge, at least 1/2 inch in from the sides. Squirt the glue directly from the bottle or apply it with a paintbrush for greater control. Create straight or wavy lines, decorative flourishes or dots, for example.

    • 4). Allow the white glue that forms the accent and border to dry until it has hardened and is tacky to the touch.

    • 5). Dip your thumb and index finger in corn starch or baby powder to absorb oils that will cause the gold flakes to stick to your fingertips.

    • 6). Open the package of gold leaf flakes slowly to keep the flakes from fluttering out. Grab a pinch of flakes between your thumb and index finger.

    • 7). Press the gold leaf flakes onto the card's accent and border so the flakes will adhere to the tacky adhesive. Continue pressing on more flakes until you've covered the adhesive completely--it's okay if the flakes go outside the edges of the design.

    • 8). Brush away the excess flakes with a dry, stiff paintbrush. Move the bristles slowly around the edges of the tacky glue to break off the flakes that aren't stuck to the adhesive, leaving a clean, gilded design.

    • 9). Leave the design "as is" or coat it with a light layer of decoupage glaze or sealer to keep the gold flakes from chipping off. Allow the card to dry overnight before mailing.

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