Sports ball

A method of manufacturing a sports ball comprising:

• providing a cover having an outer substrate surface, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of panels, and wherein each panel has a respective panel surface that defines a portion of the outer substrate surface;
• selecting a predefined panel arrangement;
• additively applying a plurality of layers of dimensional ink in the predefined panel arrangement to the panel surface of at least one of the plurality of panels via an additive manufacturing process, such that the dimensional ink forms a surface texture disposed on the panel surface of the respective panel in the selected predefined panel arrangement;
• and
• wherein the surface texture disposed on the respective panel surface defines a surface profile that includes:
• a plurality of raised portions that extend from the respective panel surface, wherein each of the raised portions is composed of the plurality of layers of dimensional ink, wherein each of the raise portions has a terminus that is spaced apart from the respective panel surface by a height that is greater than about 0.05 millimeters (mm), and wherein the plurality of layers of dimensional ink includes:
• a first layer composed of dimensional ink of a second color;
• a second layer being positioned between the respective panel surface and the first layer, wherein the second layer is composed of a dimensional ink of a first color;
• and
• wherein the first color is different than the second color;
• and
• a plurality of land areas that are flush with the respective panel surface and disposed between each of the plurality of raised portions.

A sports ball comprising:

• a cover having an outer substrate surface;
• and
• a surface texture disposed upon the outer substrate surface, wherein the surface texture comprises a dimensional ink and defines a surface profile that includes:
• a plurality of raised portions that extend from the outer substrate surface, wherein each of the raised portions is composed of a plurality of layers of dimensional ink, wherein each of the plurality of raised portions has a terminus that is spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by a height that is greater than about 0.05 millimeters (mm), and wherein the plurality of layers of dimensional ink includes:
• a first layer composed of dimensional ink of a second color;
• a second layer being positioned between the outer substrate surface and the first layer, wherein the second layer is composed of a dimensional ink of a first color;
• and
• wherein the first color is different than the second color;
• and
• a plurality of land areas that are flush with the outer substrate surface and disposed between each of the plurality of raised portions.