Methods of manufacturing a textured surface using soluble templates

A method of using a template for texturing a surface comprising:

• contacting an article surface with a template;
• where the template comprises a soluble polymer that has a texture disposed thereon;
• where the texture comprises a pattern comprising a first plurality of spaced features;
• the spaced features arranged in a plurality of groupings;
• the spaced features within a grouping being spaced apart at an average distance of about 1 nanometer to about 500 micrometers;
• each feature having a surface that is substantially parallel to a surface on a neighboring feature;
• each feature being separated from its neighboring feature;
• and wherein the groupings of features being arranged with respect to one another so as to define a tortuous pathway;
• where the template is in the form of a free-standing film that has a maximum thickness of 1.5 millimeters and a minimum thickness that is no greater than 40 percent of the maximum thickness;
• where the surface area of the textured surface is at least greater than 10 cm2, and
• washing the article surface with a solvent that dissolves the template.