Gold window signs produced using solvent based paint & 23ct genuine gold leaf.
This project started off with the clients already having a typeface & design for the wording they wished to have for their gold window signs. The options offered were to have the gold in a reflective mirror finish or as a matte finish, which was the preferred choice. When producing gold window signs, the deciding factor is generally how good the reflective or matte finish will look from the street, but also how it would appear on the internal side. Some clients don’t feel the requirement for the gold to be seen internally, so then the refective/mirror finish can be preferred, as the gold requires ‘backing up’ with black paint to create the mirror effect. Therefore the image of the artwork internally is solid black lettering. The matte finish allows both the gold & black cast shadow to be visable.
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When producing gold window signs it’s beneficial to have more than one option. With this project I had a paper drawn artwork that would be used to trace off onto the window. I also had a vinyl stencil, which offers more precise lettering. It can provide a faster solution but can also have drawbacks. It was the choice on this occasion. So the vinyl stencil was measured into the ideal postion on the window. It’s then used to have the letters ‘filled’ by painting the bespoke gold leaf glue by brush. Once the glue has nearly set & has just a little tack remaining, the gold leaf is applied.
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The light still gets through the gold leaf & isn’t fully opaque, but its only like that from the inside looking out. The external side it looks fully opaque. Its possible to have more opquae by painting over the gold on the internal side but this is then an additional cost due to being more labour intensive & using more materials.
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Skill & care is taken to create the cast shadow by marking out on the window. This is produced once the vinyl stencil has been removed. The marking is produced on theexternal side of the glass. The cast shadow is then hand painted using specialist brushes & specialist fast drying solvent based paint.
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The paint again ‘grins’ from the internal side looking out as its not fully opaque. It would again be mor elabour intensive to give 2 coats of paint. Once the paint is dry a final coat of clear varnish is applied over all the sign. This is allowed to harden & once it does it, adds protection to the sign writing & prevents any issues with the window being cleaned using detergents.
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Hand Painted Traditional & Contemporary Sign writing in London
Sign writer: Traditional Signs of London
info@traditionalsignsoflondon.uk