Methods are disclosed for making abrasive articles including decorative
patterns. In one embodiment, the method includes printing inks or dyes
onto an upper surface of a foam sheet to create a decorative pattern
thereon, and bonding abrasive material over the decorative pattern, the
abrasive material being translucent or transparent such that the
decorative pattern is visible through the abrasive material. In another
embodiment, the method includes providing a base layer, mixing abrasive
material with binder material, one or more pigments, and a blowing agent,
applying the first mixture to one or more regions of an upper surface of
the base layer in a predetermined pattern, and curing the first abrasive
mixture such that the blowing agent is activated to create an expanded
abrasive layer on the upper surface of the base layer that has a
thickness greater than adjacent regions of the upper surface.