Patent ID: 8062495

Claim:
A method of making a seamless pattern replication tool, the method comprising: preparing a seamless cylindrical recording substrate for holding a desired relief pattern on a support cylinder, wherein preparing a seamless cylindrical recording substrate comprises applying a light-sensitive polymer coating to the inner surface of the support cylinder; forming the desired relief pattern in the substrate; forming a durable layer with a negative-relief pattern of the relief pattern on the substrate to create a seamless cylindrical replication tool; and separating the replication tool from the support cylinder, wherein separating the replication tool from the support cylinder comprises holding the replication tool and support cylinder concentrically about the same axis with a mounting fixture having a center flange and a central shaft, removing desired portions of the light-sensitive polymer coating, and sliding the replication tool and support cylinder apart along the axis, wherein the surface of the replication tool including the relief pattern is prevented from touching the inner surface of the support cylinder during separation of the tool and the cylinder.