Abstract: In a process for plating or etching metalization patterns on the surface of a three dimensional substrate, a flexible plastic mask is fabricated by first coating the surface of a thin plastic sheet with vacuum formable ink. The mask is then molded into the shape of the surface into which the pattern is to be formed. A low power YAG laser is used to remove areas of the ink through which light is to be allowed to pass. This mask may then be used in either a print and plate process or a print and etch process by drawing the mask into intimate contact with the workpiece by applying a vacuum between the mask and the workpiece. The workpiece may then be exposed to light through the clear areas of the mask.

Abstract: This present invention is directed to a new technique for supplying and applying resist to copper and other substrate material. In accordance with the present invention, a hot stamping resist decal comprises a release sheet bearing a pattern of the dried residue of a resist. The resist comprises an ester of a styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer, a particulate filler, and a solvent. Advantageously, a plasticizer is included in the resist formulation and the particulate filler preferably includes a clay. The method of manufacturing the inventive hot stamping resist decal and for hot stamping the decal on a circuit board form additional aspects of the present invention.