Chequered (or tread/diamond) plates are ubiquitous: flooring, ramps, truck beds, stair treads and decorative façades. Their raised pattern provides grip, stiffness and an attractive surface. Two primary ways to produce chequered plates are hot-rolling with patterned rolls and pressing/embossing finished plates. Both produce the familiar raised pattern, but they differ in process, material behavior, tolerances, costs and ideal applications. This article explains how each method works, compares their pros and cons, and gives guidance for choosing the right type of chequered plates for a project.

Hot-rolled chequered plates — how they’re made

Hot-rolled chequered plates are produced during the steelmaking rolling process. Red-hot slab or plate passes through a set of patterned rolls in a hot strip mill. Patterned grooves in the rolls imprint the raised diamond or circular patterns while the steel is still above recrystallization temperature. The rolling simultaneously reduces thickness, refines internal structure, and forms the pattern in one continuous operation.

Key characteristics:

• Strong metallurgical bond: Because the pattern is formed while the metal is hot and plastic, the raised lugs are integral to the plate’s grain structure and carry similar mechanical properties to the base material.
  
  
• Large volumes & thick plates: Hot rolling is efficient for thicker plates and large production runs. It is commonly used for carbon steel chequered plates in industrial applications.
  
  
• Surface scale and finish: Hot rolling produces mill scale and a rougher finish that may need pickling, shot-blasting or painting for corrosion resistance or aesthetics.
  
  
• Dimensional tolerances: Thickness and flatness tolerances are coarser than cold-worked alternatives; expect some geometric variations and residual stresses.
  
  

Pressed (embossed) chequered plates — how they’re made

Pressed or embossed chequered plates start with a finished plate — usually pickled, leveled and cut to size. The pattern is created by pressing the cold (or mildly heated) plate between mating dies or rollers in a hydraulic press or roller press. The force plastically deforms the surface into the desired raised shape without significantly changing the overall plate thickness.

Key characteristics:

• Better surface finish: Because base plate preparation is done before pressing, the final product can have a smoother appearance and be easier to paint, coat or galvanize.
  
  
• Tighter tolerances & thinner gauges: Pressing works well for thinner plates and allows closer control of flatness and pattern height. It’s often used for architectural, automotive or trailer applications.
  
  
• Local cold-work strengthening: Cold pressing work-hardens the patterned areas, which can slightly increase local strength but may also create residual stresses and localized hardness variations.
  
  
• Lower initial tooling cost for small runs: For smaller quantities or varied patterns, pressing with interchangeable dies can be cost-effective, though large dies and presses are capital-intensive.
  
  

Direct comparison — pros and cons

• Mechanical performance: Hot-rolled plates offer more uniform mechanical properties through the lug and base, making them better for heavy load and industrial conditions. Pressed plates have localized cold working and may be preferable where stiffness and finish matter more than heavy structural strength.
  
  
• Surface & finishing: Pressed plates typically present a cleaner surface ready for paint or galvanizing. Hot-rolled items usually need additional surface treatment to remove scale and improve appearance.
  
  
• Dimensional control: Pressed plates win on flatness and dimensional consistency; hot-rolled plates can show slight warping or profile variations, especially in thinner gauges.
  
  
• Cost & scale: Hot rolling is economical at high volumes and for thicker plates. Pressing is flexible and economical for thinner plates and diverse pattern designs, especially in medium to low volumes.
  
  
• Pattern depth & slip resistance: Hot-rolled processes can produce deeper, more robust lugs suited to heavy-duty anti-slip performance. Pressed patterns can be shallower but more precise—adequate for foot traffic and architectural use.
  
  

Practical considerations for buyers and specifiers

• Intended use: For heavy industrial flooring, truck decks, or platforms where structural performance and wear resistance matter, hot-rolled chequered plates are often the best choice. For decorative cladding, stair nosings or lightweight vehicle floors, pressed plates provide better finish and tighter tolerances.
  
  
• Coating and corrosion protection: Specify surface treatment early. Pressed plates accept coatings more easily; hot-rolled plates often require pickling or shot-blasting prior to painting or galvanizing.
  
  
• Welding and fabrication: Both types are weldable, but be mindful of localized hardness in pressed patterns and mill scale on hot-rolled plates. Pre- and post-weld cleaning may be necessary.
  
  
• Quality checks: Inspect pattern depth, flatness, thickness, and surface quality. For load-bearing applications, request mechanical test certificates and, if needed, NDT on critical welds.
  
  

Conclusion

Hot-rolled and pressed MS chequered plates produce the same visible benefit—anti-slip raised patterns—but their manufacturing routes create distinct differences in strength, finish, tolerance and cost. Choose hot-rolled plates when heavy loads, wear resistance and volume economies matter; choose pressed plates when finish, dimensional control and thinner gauges are priorities. Specifying the right type up front saves rework and ensures the plate performs as required in service.