Method of manufacturing a watch component (10) for a timepiece, wherein it comprises a first stage of manufacturing a watch component (10) comprising a first surface (1), in which there is arranged at least one recess (20), that is to say a surface recessed from the first surface (1), and wherein it comprises a second finishing stage the watch component, leading to a change in the surface condition, more particularly the roughness, more particularly measured by the parameters Ra and/or Str, and/or the gloss, of the first surface (1) but not of the at least one recess (20) or of a portion exclusively of this at least one recess (20).

A metallic sheet with deposited structured images and method for manufacture (MSDIMM) that includes a substrate, at least one structural feature, and a metal layer. The structural feature is at least one cavity on the substrate's upper surface, or at least one material object that extends outward from the substrate's upper surface. The metal layer is deposited, either by sputtering or atomic deposition, onto the substrate's upper surface, and, as the metal layer is deposited, the metal layer interfaces with and follows the dimensions of the structural feature(s), thereby creating a visible image at the location(s) of the structural feature(s). The visible image can be any image, and is preferably either an artistic image, a textual image, or an authentication image. The MDSIMM can be used for a variety of purposes, and is especially effective as a form of exonumia or currency.

A metallic sheet with deposited structured images and method for manufacture (MSDIMM) that includes a substrate, at least one structural feature, and a metal layer. The structural feature is at least one cavity on the substrate's upper surface, or at least one material object that extends outward from the substrate's upper surface. The metal layer is deposited, either by sputtering or atomic deposition, onto the substrate's upper surface, and, as the metal layer is deposited, the metal layer interfaces with and follows the dimensions of the structural feature(s), thereby creating a visible image at the location(s) of the structural feature(s). The visible image can be any image, and is preferably either an artistic image, a textual image, or an authentication image. The MDSIMM can be used for a variety of purposes, and is especially effective as a form of exonumia or currency.

An image forming apparatus includes a conveyer that conveys a recording medium supporting an image; a softener that softens the image; and a powder applicator that applies powder to the surface of the softened image, in which the applied powder adheres to a range that is narrower in a width direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyer than a maximum width of the image to be supported by the recording medium.

A panel for a touch screen of an electronic device is described. The panel comprises a substrate having a central area for operating the touch screen and a border area at an edge of the central area. The border area comprises a decorative image on the substrate and an outer surface coating overlying the decorative image. The decorative image comprises a non-conductive metallic coating. The outer surface coating comprises a non-conductive, printed layer. A method for manufacturing the panel and an electronic device comprising a touch screen having the panel are also described.

A panel for a touch screen of an electronic device is described. The panel comprises a substrate having a central area for operating the touch screen and a border area at an edge of the central area. The border area comprises a decorative image on the substrate and an outer surface coating overlying the decorative image. The decorative image comprises a non-conductive metallic coating. The outer surface coating comprises a non-conductive, printed layer. A method for manufacturing the panel and an electronic device comprising a touch screen having the panel are also described.

A method of producing customized artwork includes forming and finishing a plurality of backdrops by cutting and/or engraving sheet metal. Based upon an order received for a customized artwork a particular backdrop is selected and a customized ornamental component is produced in sheet metal. If the backdrop and customized component are prone to galvanic corrosion, insulation may be provided between the customized component and backdrop and to insulate fasteners from either the customized component or backdrop. The method reduces lead times and production costs for customized artwork, while improving quality of the final product.

Disclosed is a method of producing a pattern for a decorative panel. The method includes applying a clear gel coat on a mold to form a clear layer. The clear layer is cured and then digitally printed with one or more inks so as to produce a pattern on the clear layer. Also disclosed is a decorative panel including a clear layer, an opaque layer and a pattern digitally printed on the clear layer, between the clear and opaque layers, such that the pattern is visible through the clear layer.

Disclosed is a method of producing a pattern for a decorative panel. The method includes applying a clear gel coat on a mold to form a clear layer. The clear layer is cured and then digitally printed with one or more inks so as to produce a pattern on the clear layer. Also disclosed is a decorative panel including a clear layer, an opaque layer and a pattern digitally printed on the clear layer, between the clear and opaque layers, such that the pattern is visible through the clear layer.

Embodiments are directed to laser-based processes for forming features on the surface of a part. The feature may include a geometric element, a color element, and/or a surface finish element. In some cases, the laser-formed features are formed as a pattern of textured features that produce an aesthetic and/or tactile effect on the surface of the part. In some cases, the texture features may be sufficiently small that they may not be discerned by the unaided human eye. Also, in some cases, a multiple laser-based processes are combined to form a single feature or a finished part having a specific aesthetic and/or tactile effect.