An apparatus for forming an image on the nail of a user comprises a handle body having an outer gripping surface and an inner surface defining a clear bore extending completely therethrough and an image transfer body formed of a transparent pliable material having an outer surface corresponding to the clear bore of the handle body and an image transfer surface extending from the handle body. A kit may include the apparatus and a plate containing at least one image location having a depression adapted to contain a portion of paint to be transferred to a user's nail. A user locates a portion of paint in depression of the plate, presses an image transfer surface on the image transfer body on the portion of paint to transfer the portion of paint to the image transfer surface and applies the image transfer surface to a nail of the user.

A method of manufacturing a patterned stamp (100) for patterning a contoured surface (10) is disclosed. The method comprises providing a pliable stamp layer (120) carrying a pattern of features (122), forcing the pliable stamp layer onto the contoured surface with said pattern of features facing the contoured surface; applying a fluid support layer (130) over the pliable stamp layer on the contoured surface; solidifying the support layer (140) to form the patterned stamp; and removing the patterned stamp from the contoured surface. A corresponding patterned stamp, imprinting method and imprinted article are also disclosed.

A method of manufacturing a patterned stamp (100) for patterning a contoured surface (10) is disclosed. The method comprises providing a pliable stamp layer (120) carrying a pattern of features (122), forcing the pliable stamp layer onto the contoured surface with said pattern of features facing the contoured surface; applying a fluid support layer (130) over the pliable stamp layer on the contoured surface; solidifying the support layer (140) to form the patterned stamp; and removing the patterned stamp from the contoured surface. A corresponding patterned stamp, imprinting method and imprinted article are also disclosed.

A method of preparing a patterned micro-contact printing stamp for micro contact printing including the making of a submaster of e.g. epoxy, against which a micro-contact printing stamp from polydimethylsiloxane or other stamp forming material can be formed. The micro-contact printing stamp can then be exposed to an inking material while the micro-contact printing stamp is still against the submaster, resulting in a micro-contact printing stamp capable of making numerous impressions before the inking material is exhausted.

A method of preparing a patterned micro-contact printing stamp for micro contact printing including the making of a submaster of e.g. epoxy, against which a micro-contact printing stamp from polydimethylsiloxane or other stamp forming material can be formed. The micro-contact printing stamp can then be exposed to an inking material while the micro-contact printing stamp is still against the submaster, resulting in a micro-contact printing stamp capable of making numerous impressions before the inking material is exhausted.

An apparatus for forming an image on the nail of a user comprises a handle body having an outer gripping surface and an inner surface defining a clear bore extending completely therethrough and an image transfer body formed of a transparent pliable material having an outer surface corresponding to the clear bore of the handle body and an image transfer surface extending from the handle body. A kit may include the apparatus and a plate containing at least one image location having a depression adapted to contain a portion of paint to be transferred to a user's nail. A user locates a portion of paint in depression of the plate, presses an image transfer surface on the image transfer body on the portion of paint to transfer the portion of paint to the image transfer surface and applies the image transfer surface to a nail of the user.