This paper reviews some industrial applications where a central role is played by the interaction between a surface and an impacting drop or spray. In particular, attention is focused on patents describing methods to optimize the application by controlling the drop deposition. This can be achieved, for instance, by using additives that change the fluid rheology, or by modifying artificially the state of the surface. The industrial applications considered here span across the whole range of engineering disciplines, from the distribution of agrochemicals to the fabrication of microlenses, and should be intended as examples of the potential as well as of the multidisciplinarity of this topic.