Communication: Surface-patterned 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate hydrogels were produced by using a method similar to the silicon-rubber stamp fabrication for micro-contact printing. Polymerization and network formation were carried out in contact with a micromachined silicon wafer. The polymeric patterns retained their shape during isotropic swelling/deswelling cycles. The use of microstructured hydrogels in tissue engineering can be envisaged.