Process for producing a printing surface

A process for producing a printing surface or an anilox roll surface, which process comprises:

• providing a titanium surface on a base component by cold spraying titanium onto the substrate;
• forming the printing surface or the anilox roll surface by:
• (a) subjecting the titanium surface to surface hardening by interstitial element absorption of any one or more interstitial elements selected from nitrogen, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, wherein the surface hardening includes heating of the titanium surface by localised melting of the surface by a laser in the presence of a gas including the one or more selected interstitial elements and the heating is limited to the area and thickness of titanium that is to be surface hardened to provide a hardened surface, the fluid transfer surface having an engineered topography that is capable of receiving and transferring a consistent and uniform quantity of fluid;
• and
• (b) engraving the titanium surface to provide a desired surface topography and wherein the titanium surface is engraved using a laser, engraved by embossing or knurling, or by chemical etching;
• and
• wherein, in operation, the printing surface or the anilox roll surface at least one of constantly and repeatedly transfers fluid onto a secondary surface.