Island Designs

        We draw a design, then transfer it to a 1/4" thick slab of brass or magnesium. Using self-made chisels, we carve the design into the metal slab in reverse, 3 dimensionally, to make a "die". We cast fiberglass into the carved metal die to form the opposite image ("counter") before milling the background areas of the metal down to 1/8". We attach the metal die to a heat plate with the fiberglass counter opposite on the platen of our converted 1959 letterpress. We heat the metal die between 250 and 400 degrees and press a copper sheet between die and counter. Some designs require multiple pressings with several dies. For color, we flame paint with oxygen and propane--16 different colors may be achieved by varying the size and length of the flame. Copper designs are back filled to prevent crushing before adhering to wood fiberboard in various thicknesses. Wood parts are painted and copper clear coated with UV barrier to retain color and shine.

    We draw a design, then transfer it to a 1/4" thick slab of brass or magnesium. Using self-made chisels, we carve the design into the metal plate in reverse, 3 dimensionally, to make a "die". We cast fiberglass into the carved metal die to form the opposite image ("counter") before milling the background areas of the metal down to 1/8". We attach the metal die to a heat plate with the fiberglass counter opposite on the platen of our converted 1929 letterpress. We heat the metal die between 250 and 400 degrees and press cover weight paper between it and the counter. For color, we use roll leaf- a mylar sheet with colored wax applied to 1 side, placed with wax side against the paper. As the press closes, heat melts the wax and transfers color. Paper must be registered and pressed multiple times with separate dies and counters for each color. We add watercolor paint, air brush, brush pen, colored pencil and pastel on larger pieces. All matting and framing is done entirely in our studio.

    We draw a design, then transfer it to a 1/4" thick slab of brass or magnesium. Using self-made chisels, we carve the design into the metal plate in reverse, 3 dimensionally, to make a "die". We cast fiberglass into the carved metal die to form the opposite image ("counter") before milling the background areas of the metal down to 1/8". We attach the metal die to a heat plate with the fiberglass counter opposite on the platen of our converted 1929 letterpress. We heat the metal die between 250 and 400 degrees and press cover weight paper between it and the counter. For color, we use roll leaf- a mylar sheet with colored wax applied to 1 side, placed with wax side against the paper. As the press closes, heat melts the wax and transfers color. Paper must be registered and pressed multiple times with separate dies and counters for each color. We add watercolor paint, air brush, brush pen, colored pencil and pastel on larger pieces. All matting and framing is done entirely in our studio.

  We draw a design, then transfer it to a 1/4" thick slab of brass or magnesium. Using self-made chisels, we carve the design into the metal slab in reverse, 3 dimensionally, to make a "die". We cast fiberglass into the carved metal die to form the opposite image ("counter") before milling the background areas of the metal down to 1/8". We attach the metal die to a heat plate with the fiberglass counter opposite on the platen of our converted 1959 letterpress. We heat the metal die between 250 and 400 degrees and press a copper sheet between die and counter. Some designs require multiple pressings with several dies. For color, we flame paint with oxygen and propane torch. 16 different colors may be achieved by varying the size and length of the flame. Copper designs are back filled to prevent crushing before adhering to wood fiberboard in various thicknesses. Wood parts are painted and copper clear coated with UV barrier to retain color and shine.

    We draw a design, then transfer it to a 1/4" thick slab of brass or magnesium. Using self-made chisels, we carve the design into the metal plate in reverse, 3 dimensionally, to make a "die". We cast fiberglass into the carved metal die to form the opposite image ("counter") before milling the background areas of the metal down to 1/8". We attach the metal die to a heat plate with the fiberglass counter opposite on the platen of our converted 1929 letterpress. We heat the metal die between 250 and 400 degrees and press cover weight paper between it and the counter. For color, we use roll leaf- a mylar sheet with colored wax applied to 1 side, placed with wax side against the paper. As the press closes, heat melts the wax and transfers color. Paper must be registered and pressed multiple times with separate dies and counters for each color. We add watercolor paint, air brush, brush pen, colored pencil and pastel on larger pieces. All matting and framing is done entirely in our studio.