The types being made ready for press in the usual manner, the surface
is covered in the ordinary way with gold size instead of ink, and the
impression taken upon the paper. For a large job, remove only the back
from a book of leaf-gold; for a small one, lay a straight edge across
the book, and cut it through, of the size required, with the point of a
sharp penknife. This must be done before using the size. Slightly wet
the end of the forefinger of the right hand, and, placing the thumb of
that hand on the pile of gold, raise the edge of the paper with the
forefinger sufficiently to dampen it with the moisture of that finger;
then press the moistened edge of the paper on the gold, and it will
adhere sufficiently to enable the fingers to lift gold and paper together
and place it on the impression. Proceed thus until the size is entirely
covered; gently pat the gold with the balls of the fingers, or any soft,
pliable substance, until it is set; then, with a very soft hat-brush,
remove the superfluous gold, when a clear and beautiful impression will
appear. Its sharpness will depend on the judgment of the printer in
applying the size to the type.