German to English Tech/Engineering Materials (Plastics, Ceramics, etc.) Coatings

In a patent relating to thermoplastic coatings, 'Auftragen' occurs in a list of coating methods. Can it mean anything more specific than 'application'?

Context: "...das Aufbringen der ersten und zweiten Schichten. Dieses Aufbringen erfolgt durch Gießen, Auftragen, Coextrusion oder Laminieren".

I'm translating 'Aufbringen' as 'deposition' here, although I know it can also be 'application'. "This deposition takes place by casting, application, coextrusion or lamination" doesn't sound quite right to me, though.