Printing formulations and methods

A method for patterning a surface, the method comprising

• patterning at least one pre-coat formulation on a surface region to form patterned regions, at least two of said patterned regions differing from each other in at least one of a chemical and a physical property, said at least one chemical or physical property differing between at least two of said patterned regions is selected from the group consisting of at least one of composition, degree of curing, viscosity, tackiness, surface tension, chemical reactivity, and pH, wherein said is patterned regions are obtained by patterning a first sub-layer of a first pre-coat formulation and a second sub-layer applied thereonto of a second, different, pre-coat formulation, such that said at least two regions differ from each other in thea ratio between the first and second sub-layers;
• applying at least one patterning formulation onto at least one said patterned region(s), wherein the at least one patterning formulation applied onto at least one said patterned region interacts with the pre-coat formulation, the interaction between the at least one patterning formulation and the pre-coat formulation being determined by said chemical and/or physical property, such that (i) the at least one patterning formulation is at least partially embedded within said pre-coat formulation, or (ii) the at least one patterning formulation is maintained on top of the pre-coat formulation;
• and
• exposing the surface to conditions permitting curing of the pre-coat formulation and the patterning formulations, thereby obtaining a patterned surface.