System and method for obtaining a uniform ink layer

A printing plate for printing ink on a substrate, the printing plate having a printing surface for receiving ink, the printing plate comprising:

• a defined area of an image intended to print with ink;
• a surface pattern applied to the defined area, the surface pattern comprising a plurality of rows each having a plurality of diagonally oriented line segments, each line segment corresponding to an ink-carrying relief structure in an area of the plate raised above a floor of the plate, the plurality of diagonally oriented line segments having orientations alternating between a positive angle in one row and a negative angle in an adjacent row, wherein each line segment has a first end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a first line of a first adjacent row and a second end aligned with a middle portion of and spaced apart from a second line of a second adjacent row.