GOLD METAL LEAF

The underappreciated alternative

Gold Metal Leaf, or “GML”, has long been seen as a less than great alternative to Genuine Gold. There is ample evidence to support this belief. We have all seen cheap, poorly designed GML fames with heavy handed finishes and known innately that they are second-rate. GML’s “poor cousin” reputation has been well deserved.

THE GML FRAME INDUSTRY

When it comes to fine art frames, most frame manufacturers, whether foreign or domestic, have used GML as a way to “imitate” genuine gold by trying to make it “look like” genuine gold. While you can make it bright and brassy, you can’t make it subtle and translucent like gold. The physical properties of GML just don’t allow it.

THE ALLMAN PICTURE FRAME SOLUTION

We believe that GML, when finished to its best advantage, can provide a viable and aesthetic alternative to genuine gold. For the last 3 years, we have been perfecting our metal leaf finishes specifically for use by fine artists. These finishes meet our high quality and artistic criteria and should be considered by artists as a worthy lower cost option to genuine gold. They are very good finishes and at the very least every artist should always have a few sitting around for emergency’s. You know what I mean.

THE FINISHES

Below are the four GML Finishes we offer. While at first glance they may appear to be similar in finish, they are actually quite distinctly different from each other especially once the artwork has been installed. We are showing them here with a painting by Nicholas Coleman to illustrate the difference in how each finish “reacts” to the painting. While one finish is more appropriate than the others on this particular painting, several could be used depending on what you as an artist want to say.

(Click to Enlarge)

CONCLUSION

With the ever increasing cost of genuine gold, labor and other overhead costs, the cost of fine quality frames have been rising steadily. While none of us welcome this increase, it is inevitable. The cost of gold alone for instance has increased over 40% in the last year alone. Artists may need to find ways to improve their bottom line, while maintaining affordable retail prices to collectors. Allman Picture Frame’s Gold Metal Leaf is an excellent option in helping curtail rising costs while still offering a great, aesthetic frame for you customers. Give them a try.

Curt