The present invention provides a method of providing a surface layer or
structure on a substrate. The method includes ink jet printing spaced
first segments of the surface layer or structure material on the
substrate and drying or curing the first segments. Additionally, the
method includes ink jet printing further material segments in the gaps
between the first segments and drying or curing the further segments. In
the present invention, the material and/or curing and drying conditions
are different in both steps of the method. The method also includes
forming a surface layer or structure where segment material and/or curing
and drying conditions are chosen so as to control mechanical properties
of the surface layer.