Method for creating a textured press plate

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for creating a textured press plate. Initially, a mask may be applied to a surface of a press plate. This mask typically corresponds to a desired physical surface structure. Thereafter, the masked surface of the press plate is processed to obtain the desired physical surface structure. Thereafter, various techniques may be used to create differing degrees of gloss in differing portions of the surface of the press plate. For example, matting may be used to decrease the degree of gloss of a portion of the surface, and polishing may be used to increase the degree of gloss of a portion of the surface.

1 . A textured press plate prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
 applying a mask to a working surface of a press plate;   processing the working surface of the press plate to obtain a structure in the working surface of the press plate;   polishing the working surface of the press plate;   cleaning the working surface of the press plate;   applying a first metallic coating to the entire working surface of the press plate;   applying a first protective layer over portions of the working surface of the press plate;   adjusting a level of gloss for a portion of the working surface of the press plate not covered by the first protective layer;   removing the first protective layer;   applying a second metallic coating to the entire working surface of the press plate;   applying a second protective layer over portions of the working surface of the press plate;   adjusting a level of gloss for a portion of the working surface of the press plate not covered by the second protective layer;   removing the second protective layer; and   applying a third metallic coating to the entire working surface of the press plate.   
     
     
         2 . The textured press plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the first metallic coating, the second metallic coating, or the third metallic coating comprises a chromium plating. 
     
     
         3 . The textured press plate according to  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the level of gloss for the portion of the working surface of the press plate not covered by the first protective layer further comprises:
 polishing the working surface of the press plate not covered by the first protective layer;   matting the working surface of the press plate not covered by the first protective layer; or   applying a new metallic coating to the working surface of the press plate not covered by the first protective layer.   
     
     
         4 . The textured press plate according to  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the level of gloss for the portion of the working surface of the press plate not covered by the second protective layer further comprises:
 polishing the working surface of the press plate not covered by the second protective layer;   matting the working surface of the press plate not covered by the second protective layer; or   applying a new metallic coating to the working surface of the press plate not covered by the second protective layer.   
     
     
         5 . The textured press plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the process further comprises:
 in response to adjusting the level of gloss for the portion of the working surface of the press plate not covered by the first protective layer, applying a new protective layer over portions of the working surface of the press plate; and   adjusting the level of gloss for the portion of the working surface of the press plate not covered by the new protective layer.   
     
     
         6 . The textured press plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the process further comprises:
 after processing the working surface of the press plate to obtain the structure in the working surface of the press plate, applying a new mask to the working surface of a press plate; and   processing the working surface of the press plate to obtain an additional structure in the working surface of the press plate at portions of the working surface of the press plate that are not covered by the new mask.   
     
     
         7 . A textured press plate, wherein a working surface the textured press plate comprises:
 a base press plate layer comprising a structure therein;   a first chromium plating layer formed over the entire base press plate layer, wherein a surface of the first chromium plating layer comprises varied gloss levels;   a second chromium plating layer formed over the entire first chromium plating layer, wherein a surface of the second chromium plating layer comprises varied gloss levels; and   a third chromium plating layer formed over the entire second chromium plating layer.