Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a ribbon

A method of manufacturing a ribbon comprising:

• contacting the ribbon with a recess of a forming roll to impart a protrusion to a first major surface of the ribbon;
• receiving the ribbon on a support surface positioned downstream from the forming roll, a second major surface of the ribbon opposite the first major surface facing the support surface, and the protrusion extending in a direction away from the support surface;
• and
• applying a pressure to the ribbon to bias the ribbon toward the support surface.

A method of manufacturing a ribbon comprising:

• contacting the ribbon with a recess of a forming roll to impart a protrusion to a first major surface of the ribbon;
• receiving the ribbon on a support surface positioned downstream from the forming roll, a second major surface of the ribbon opposite the first major surface facing the support surface, and the protrusion extending in a direction away from the support surface;
• and
• planarizing the second major surface of the ribbon by maintaining the ribbon in contact with the support surface for a duration of time.