This chapter examines appropriate contemporary methods and tools towards the creation of novel 2.5dimensional (2.5D) printed surfaces. It aims to capture the briefest contextual background to ancient methods of 2.5D creation and representation, that provides the reader with suitable knowledge and insights as to the state of the art and qualities for twenty-first century requirements. The chapter considers illumination, colouration and texture and its relation to the production of relief, as well as the conversion of 2dimensional (2D) to different degrees of relief. It explores the different two-dimensional representational approaches to create the appearance of texture and relief. The chapter argues that ‘flat art’, such as paintings, drawings and prints, does not contribute to 2.5D printing. It looks at the relationship between texture, objects and artists' approaches to reproducing texture in their art. The chapter addresses the essential characteristics of a real-life world and how these qualities can be transcribed into a synthetic scene.