Abstract: To prevent parallax distortion, and to simplify application of masking patterns, particularly for LCD units, the mask is applied to the front-, or back-plate electrode at the side facing the liquid crystal, and opposite the interrupted, or etched front-plate electrode on the back support plate. Suitable methods are printing, particularly with a coarse or rough grain lacquer varnish or ink, the projections of the coarse grain forming the microspacers between said plates and for retaining the liquid crystal medium; other methods are galvanic deposition on the continuous electrode, and selected exposure of photographic emulsions, particularly color emulsions so that, with multi-color emulsions, multi-color effects can be obtained although only a single thickness of emulsion layer is applied.