This work investigates correlations between the surface topography of milled steel dies and friction with steel sheet. Several die surfaces were prepared by milling. Friction was measured in bending under tension testing. Linear regression coefficients (R²) between the friction and texture characterization parameters were tested. None of the height, spacing, material volume, void or segmentation parameters showed good correlations. Developed area, rms surface gradient, relative area and complexity showed strong correlations (R² > 0.7). For area-scale fractal complexity the correlation increases markedly at scales below 200 μm², with a maximum R² of 0.9 at 50 μm².