A method for producing an industrial fabric, in particular a fabric for a machine for producing a fibrous web such as a paper, cardboard or tissue web or a nonwoven product, has the following method steps: i) production of a flat structure from yarns in the form of a woven fabric, roving, crocheted fabric, knitted fabric, or from coiled elements which are joined to one another, ii) application of at least one polymer material to at least one surface of the flat structure in the form of at least one group of beads (1), wherein the polymer application begins at starting points and ends at end points which are remote from the starting points, iii) repetition of step ii), wherein end points of the at least one group of beads (1) are spaced apart from starting points of at least one further group of beads (1), as a result of which empty regions (3) are produced between the groups on the surface of the flat structure.