u/BlackIshDynamite

I'm making an engagement ring box and would like to engrave and guild some text (letters about 2-6mm tall) on the front with platinum leaf. However I'm having trouble with getting a good finish on the leaf. I think the issue I'm having is that the letters are too small/fine to perfectly apply the size without getting it anywhere else, and the process of removing the unwanted leaf is pulling away the size in the letters and scuffing up the leaf that I do want to keep. Does anybody have any advice, or a good alternative method for guilding very small letters? Thanks in advance!