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Materials & techniques02.06.2026

Gold-plated letters — from CNC to electroplating

Gold-plated letters on a dark wood wall

The letters that look like solid metal are not: they are CNC-cut from plastic and then electroplated at the workshop until the surface is gold and mirror-polished.

The CNC router cuts the letters from vector artwork. The edges are sanded in stages, the letters made conductive and placed in the plating bath — copper first, then gold. The result is a light letter with the look of solid metal.

An electroplated finish holds its shine and colour far longer than painted or sprayed surfaces, and the letters are light to fix onto doors, walls and signs.

Preiss Workshop — Reykjavík
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