edenworkshops
22-09-2008, 03:29 PM
Hello
I am not what you would call a regular scrapbooker, I am a retired bookbinder, and this is really part of an old bookbinders trick to produce an economical substitute for genuine vellum, but I hoped the following would be of use to those folk who are thinking of printing their own pages.
This picture shows what I did in about 15 minutes.
http://www.gold-vault.com/paper/12.jpg
Using this method it is very easy to create a convincing gilded manuscript that has the look and feel of genuine vellum or parchment.
To do this you will need:
An inkjet printer, Microsoft Word software or similar and a good quality off white or cream paper to print onto.
Imitation gold leaf. This is for the illuminated letters.
A bottle of gold size, there are many different varieties, I suggest using an acrylic size like Miniatum or Simple Scribe as they are easy to use.
Blonde de waxed shellac.
Methylated Spirit is needed to dissolve the shellac, this is a 90% proof alcohol made to smell and taste very bad.
Some small paint brushes and a 1 or 2 inch paint brush.
Lastly you will need a craft knife and ruler, plus a cutting mat, or a sheet of thick card.
Compose your document in Microsoft Word; if you want the look of a medieval illuminated letter choose an Old English typeface.
If you do not have such a type face installed on your PC you can easily obtain them as there are many websites that offer free fonts.
If you want to use a large drop capital you can do so in Word by going to Format/Drop Cap/Dropped.
Change the colour of the capital letter from black, to pale pink; we do this in order that we can see the letter to be gilded.
When you have finished creating your document in Word, print out however many copies you want to create.
Using a small paintbrush, paint the capital letter with the gold size.
When the gold adhesive is ready it is time to apply the leaf.
Remove one of the leaves together with the front and back tissue to support it, and cut it up into appropriate sizes with your craft knife.
Now lift up one of the pieces including the top layer of tissue, and lay it down in place over the large capital, the top layer of tissue paper protects the gold while you rub down firmly.
When it comes to removing the surplus gold leaf from the illuminated letter.
Make sure your hands are clean and grease free, take your index finger and rub over the gold leaf in a circular motion, this removes the surplus leaf, you may have to do this quite firmly. But don’t worry the gold will stay in place.
Now is the time to apply the shellac, in doing so the paper fibres become encased in shellac resin, it changes not only the tone of the paper, but also changes the papers characteristics, in effect the paper looks and handles very much like genuine parchment.
To make up the solution take 1 part of shellac flakes to 4 parts alcohol.
Be aware that the alcohol does give of fumes, best to do this in a ventilated room.
Using a screw top jar add the flakes and alcohol and let it stand for 24 hours; give the mixture an occasional stir. If conditions are cold it will take longer to dissolve.
Give a generous coat of the shellac solution to the front and back of the paper.
Leave to dry in a warm room.
Hope it is of some use to you.
Richard
I am not what you would call a regular scrapbooker, I am a retired bookbinder, and this is really part of an old bookbinders trick to produce an economical substitute for genuine vellum, but I hoped the following would be of use to those folk who are thinking of printing their own pages.
This picture shows what I did in about 15 minutes.
http://www.gold-vault.com/paper/12.jpg
Using this method it is very easy to create a convincing gilded manuscript that has the look and feel of genuine vellum or parchment.
To do this you will need:
An inkjet printer, Microsoft Word software or similar and a good quality off white or cream paper to print onto.
Imitation gold leaf. This is for the illuminated letters.
A bottle of gold size, there are many different varieties, I suggest using an acrylic size like Miniatum or Simple Scribe as they are easy to use.
Blonde de waxed shellac.
Methylated Spirit is needed to dissolve the shellac, this is a 90% proof alcohol made to smell and taste very bad.
Some small paint brushes and a 1 or 2 inch paint brush.
Lastly you will need a craft knife and ruler, plus a cutting mat, or a sheet of thick card.
Compose your document in Microsoft Word; if you want the look of a medieval illuminated letter choose an Old English typeface.
If you do not have such a type face installed on your PC you can easily obtain them as there are many websites that offer free fonts.
If you want to use a large drop capital you can do so in Word by going to Format/Drop Cap/Dropped.
Change the colour of the capital letter from black, to pale pink; we do this in order that we can see the letter to be gilded.
When you have finished creating your document in Word, print out however many copies you want to create.
Using a small paintbrush, paint the capital letter with the gold size.
When the gold adhesive is ready it is time to apply the leaf.
Remove one of the leaves together with the front and back tissue to support it, and cut it up into appropriate sizes with your craft knife.
Now lift up one of the pieces including the top layer of tissue, and lay it down in place over the large capital, the top layer of tissue paper protects the gold while you rub down firmly.
When it comes to removing the surplus gold leaf from the illuminated letter.
Make sure your hands are clean and grease free, take your index finger and rub over the gold leaf in a circular motion, this removes the surplus leaf, you may have to do this quite firmly. But don’t worry the gold will stay in place.
Now is the time to apply the shellac, in doing so the paper fibres become encased in shellac resin, it changes not only the tone of the paper, but also changes the papers characteristics, in effect the paper looks and handles very much like genuine parchment.
To make up the solution take 1 part of shellac flakes to 4 parts alcohol.
Be aware that the alcohol does give of fumes, best to do this in a ventilated room.
Using a screw top jar add the flakes and alcohol and let it stand for 24 hours; give the mixture an occasional stir. If conditions are cold it will take longer to dissolve.
Give a generous coat of the shellac solution to the front and back of the paper.
Leave to dry in a warm room.
Hope it is of some use to you.
Richard