Micro-textures applied on rubbing surfaces have gained tremendous attention in the tribological community. Numerous studies deal with the deduction and testing of beneficial micro-textures. Nevertheless, not all questions have been answered yet. Will texturing really deliver as good effects as frequently claimed? Are there optimum texture designs? Are there occasions where texturing could enhance the tribological performance but is questionable from other perspectives? Therefore, ball-on-disc experiments are carried out with a special emphasis on the relative position of micro-texture and counter body. Furthermore, transient EHL simulations are performed, addressing the effects of structural parameters and relative texture's position on the tribological performance. Finally, meta-modeling with subsequent optimization is applied to predict numerically derived optima and robust texture designs. •The relative position between micro-texture and contact area influences friction and wear.•Structural texture parameters determine the tribological behavior.•Tribo-simulations and Meta-Modeling support the deduction of robust texture designs.•Appropriate micro-texture designs depend on the applied load.•Shallow textures with a diameter close to contact area are considered to be beneficial.