Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to prepare background surfaces, and mask, draft and apply gilding to lettering, shapes, heraldic and other decorative forms of signs.
The unit supports sign manufacturers who apply traditional sign-writing techniques and materials to apply gilding to signs.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1 | Plan and prepare work. | 1.1 | Job requirements and timeframes are identified from work instructions and client briefs, confirmed, and applied to planning and preparation. |
1.2 | Health and safety requirements are identified and applied to planning. | ||
1.3 | Tools, equipment | ||
1.4 | Sign surface is prepared to receive gilding. | ||
2 | Transfer sign design to surface. | 2.1 | Draft design is set out to scale using setting out techniques applicable to sign design. |
2.2 | Draft design is drawn to scale and transferred to prepared surface using direct and indirect layout methods. | ||
2.3 | Decorative process is applied and defects in application are identified and rectified in line with job requirements. |
3 | Apply water gilding to sign. | 3.1 | Gilding material is cut to required size and shape as specified. |
3.2 | Adhesive is mixed with colour according to job requirements and applied to prepared surface. | ||
3.3 | Gilding material is applied to surface, faults in application are identified and rectified, and excess gilding material is trimmed and removed. | ||
3.4 | Surface area and sign are cleaned according to job requirements. |
4 | Apply surface gilding to sign. | 4.1 | Size is applied carefully to surface and gilded size is checked to be within design. |
4.2 | Gilding material is applied to size using rubbing techniques, ensuring no gaps and that design shape is fully covered. | ||
4.3 | Applied gilding leaf is burnished to ensure loose particles are removed. | ||
4.4 | Design shape is trimmed carefully where applicable, and cleaning procedure and materials are applied to clean the gilded and surrounding surface. |
5 | Clean up. | 5.1 | Finished gilded sign and surrounding surface area are cleaned and waste materials removed according to workplace, statutory and regulatory authority requirements. |
5.2 | Tools and equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), are cleaned, maintained and stored according to workplace requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and must produce one word of gilded lettering on two different sign surfaces selected from the following:
glass
metal
stained timber.
In doing the above work, the person must:
prepare the sign surface using selected materials and processes
lay out sign design accurately to scale on sign surface and apply a decorative technique to the lettering
clean finished sign and surface area.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
theory of letter spacing when laying out signs
methods and application of design transfer
range and use of gilding materials and their characteristics, including:
enamel paints or suitable paints for glass
loose leaf metals, such as:
gold
silver
aluminium
Dutch metal
copper
variegated leaf
water-based size
techniques for gilding and producing gilded surfaces, including:
finishing techniques
handling materials relevant to gilding operations
methods for identifying dimensions, symbols, abbreviations and key features of signs from sign designs and drawings
purpose and application of the following when applying gilding to signs:
safety data sheets (SDS)
safe work method statements (SWMS)
techniques for measuring and setting out layout of signs to be gilded
preparation techniques for surfaces used in gilding signs, including:
glass
metal
stained timber
workplace, statutory and regulatory authority requirements relevant to handling materials used in gilding signs, including:
removal of waste products
storage of chemicals and materials
terminology and use of abbreviations in the signs and graphics industry
traditional and contemporary font styles
types and characteristics of tools and equipment used to apply water gilding.
Assessment Conditions
Suitable assessment of performance requires:
equipment and tools:
as listed in the range of conditions
materials:
gilding materials
sign surface specified in performance evidence
paints suitable for gilding signs
specifications:
work instructions
SDS
timeframe:
according to job requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Learning skills to: | transfer key principles and techniques of letter spacing and writing to new gilded sign designs. |
Numeracy skills to: | perform measurements and calculations in the process of setting out to scale and transferring design to required location. |
Oral communication skills to: | use questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand. |
Reading skills to: | interpret a range of familiar workplace documentation received in the course of applying gilding to signs, including design specifications, hand drawings, manufacturer specifications and work instructions. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Health and safety requirements must include: | selection, correct fitting, and use of PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices emergency procedures, including: evacuation first aid location and use of firefighting equipment hazard identification and risk control procedures safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with: lighting use of machines use of tools and equipment workplace environmental requirements. |
Tools and equipment must include at least two of the following: | cotton wool or velvet gelatine gilder’s pad gilding knife gilding mop gilding mug gilding tip heating pots stove. |
Sectors
Construction
Competency Field
Signs and graphics