The individual gold leaves are pressed onto a tissue paper. One uses patent gold, also called tempest gold, when gilding outdoors. The tissue paper is larger than the gold leaf, thus it may be more easily handled. It is also possible to cut the patent leaves into desired shapes/forms with scissors. The leaves are placed onto the prepared surface and carefully rubbed with cotton wool. The tissue paper may then be removed as the gold leaf will adhere to the surface/object. For exterior gilding, we recommend 23.75K up to 24K gold leaf.