The present invention is a method for making a roll cover and a roll cover, wherein at least one material is applied to the surface of the roll or a base substrate. In a first embodiment, a single material is applied as a flowable phase. A uniform coating of the material is applied to the roll, and upon setting of the material, such as by cooling, curing, or other means, a smooth and permanent roll cover is formed upon the surface of the roll. In another embodiment, at least two materials are applied in flowable phases to the surface of the roll. The first material may be a sacrificial, removable first material, applied to the surface of the roll cover in a preselected pattern. After the sacrificial material has been applied, a second material, such as a functional resin, is applied to the surface of the roll cover with the sacrificial material removed after the second material has set. In another embodiment, the use of sacrificial material is avoided and the material is applied in a predetermined pattern. In a fourth embodiment, two or more different materials are applied.