Surface printing is most often employed to reproduce a stencil-like effect for traditional florals, juvenile and country motifs. This is accomplished through the use of lightweight urethane print cylinders. The print design actually coincides with raised areas on the roller. This raised portion is obtained by removing or cutting away to leave the desired design elevated above the rest of the cylinder. Printing is accomplished by first applying ink onto the raised areas.

Flexographic printing, or flexo, is similar to surface printing except the print cylinders employed are made of flexible materials, usually rubber. The Flexo process is used to yield a range of country, colonial, floral and mini-print designs. This raised portion is obtained by removing or cutting away to leave This process offers the manufacturer a technique for achieving more delicate designs than is possible with nonflexible surface rollers. Some tonal effects are possible.