Printing tool for production of synthetic image devices and a method of manufacturing such a tool

A method for manufacturing of a tool for production of synthetic image devices, comprising:

• cutting at least one surface structured plate, giving a respective first edge and a respective second edge;
• each of said at least one surface structured plate having geometrical structures in a first surface, said geometrical structures corresponding to one of microimages and focusing elements to be transferred onto an image device, being one of a synthetic integral image device and a moire magnifier image device;
• said microimages giving rise to a synthetic image when being viewed through an array of focusing elements, said focusing elements giving rise to a synthetic image when microimages are viewed through said focusing elements;
• said geometrical structures being provided in an array of cells, said cells having a predetermined period in a first direction;
• bringing said first edge of one of said at least one surface structured plate to face said second edge of one of said at least one surface structured plate, wherein said first edge being positioned in a close proximity of said second edge, wherein said first direction of a first area of said at least one surface structured plate adjacent to said first edge being positioned with a predetermined angle relative to said first direction of a second area of said at least one surface structured plate adjacent to said second edge, and wherein said first surface of said first area and said first surface of said second area being directed in a same direction and positioned in a same plane;
• adapting a relative translation in said same plane between said first edge and said second edge for bringing a first cell border in said first area to a predetermined distance relative a corresponding second cell border in said second area;
• monitoring geometrical structures of said at least one surface structured plate in vicinity of said first edge and said second edge, wherein said step of adapting is performed in dependence of said monitoring;
• said step of monitoring geometrical structures of said at least one surface structured plate in turn comprises positioning a foil comprising an array of focusing elements on top of said first edge and said second edge, said array of focusing elements having a same symmetry as said array of cells and having a focal length being approximately equal to a thickness of said foil, giving rise to a synthetic image;
• wherein said step of adapting comprises adapting of said relative translation until said synthetic image created by said array of focusing elements becomes continuous over said first edge and said second edge;
• mutually fixating said first edge and said second edge;
• and
• mounting said at least one surface structured plate onto a cylindrical support surface.