Professor Emeritus and outstanding printmaker Virginia A Myers and machinist extraordinaire Dan Wenman invented the Iowa Foil Printer. With this hot plate and heated roller system, Virginia developed a process for individual artists to use the industrial technology of foil stamping to create amazing, iridescent, reflective, subtly colored artworks that stand alone or enhance artworks in other media. Foil can be combined with intaglio, relief, silkscreen and other printing techniques. Foil can be added to watercolor, gouache and acrylic paintings. High contrast digital images printed on a laser printer can be added into the mix. Basically, foil bonds to polymer with heat and pressure. Acrylic mediums, Elmer’s glue and laser printer toner are some of the polymers we use. The art is in how all of these techniques and mediums are controlled and combined to make the final work of art. The image begins with ink prints or paint media as the base layer. The polymer can be added using a brush, stencil or relief printing. Water based mediums may need a fixative applied as a sealant before application of the polymers. When in doubt it’s always best to test first. The foil is added with the use of the Iowa Foil Printer by applying heat and pressure to bond the foil to the polymer. Care must be taken to block the bonding anywhere the artist does not want it to be with silicone parchment paper. Of course, happy accidents often occur.
