A method of manufacturing an article includes disposing polymeric material in a mold assembly that has a mold surface that has an etched area. The method further comprises forming a fluid-filled bladder element at least partially by conforming the polymeric material to the mold surface, thereby imparting an impression of the etched area on a surface of the bladder element. The method includes assembling the bladder element in the article so that a first portion of the bladder element with the impression of the etched area is exposed to view, and a second portion of the bladder element is blocked from view by the article. An article comprises the bladder element with the etched area.