This innovative tool was designed by a master gilder, and has proven to be an excellent means of transferring gold foil to its place on the book edges. We've adapted the original design with a wooden frame to make the tip more robust.
Its chief advantage over brush tips is that you can see exactly where the foil is being placed. Simply rub the mesh over a little petroleum jelly on the back of your hand to create a weak adhesive for the foil and press the tip down on to the foil you have cut to size on the gilders cushion. Once you pick up the foil, it can be transferred gently to the book press and positioned over the page set. You can see through the mesh to your contact area, line everything up perfectly, lower the gilding tip and gently blow on the foil to transfer it to the pages set. It's a simple as that, and your foil is exactly where you want it.
This operation must be done in a room without any air movement as the foil can so easily flutter around and curl up on its edges.
The wooden frame allows you to stand the tip on its edge and keep the mesh clean while you prepare the next piece of foil. Depending on which adhesive size you are using, you may have to work very quickly to apply the next piece of foil. Ideally, you would have enough tips loaded with foil to move quickly from one to the next without losing time on a reload.
The mesh can be cleaned with a little solvent such as lighter fuel between each application of petroleum jelly.
Each gilding tip is sold in a small box so it can be stored clean and dry in your workspace.