Abstract: A machine head for producing a surface relief on a substrate, the machine head comprising a flexible stamping element having a curved profile and an inverse of the surface relief on its convex side; and the flexibility of the element being such that the inverse of the surface relief can be pressed to become flat and in planar contact with the substrate being pressed.

Abstract: A machine head for producing a surface relief on a substrate, the machine head comprising a flexible stamping element having a curved profile and an inverse of the surface relief on its convex side; and the flexibility of the element being such that the inverse of the surface relief can be pressed to become flat and in planar contact with the substrate being pressed.

Abstract: A method for producing a patterned surface relief on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of depositing a curable resin on to the substrate; pressing the surface of a first shim in to the resin, the surface of the first shim having an inverse impression profile of a first surface relief; curing the resin within the region pressed by the first shim; and removing the first shim from the resin; wherein one or both of the depositing and curing steps are performed on a first selected area within the region pressed by the first shim such that the surface relief in the resin is formed only within the said first selected area of the said region.

Abstract: A method of producing a film having a diffractive surface pattern in selected areas by processing a precursor film having a diffractive surface relief throughout one or more zones together defining a target area of the precursor film; the method comprising applying material to a selected zone of the diffractive surface relief so as to nullify the diffractive effect of the surface relief in the zone.