A field emission display having a base plate which has a focus ring structure substantially planar with the extraction grid. The field emission display base plate is fabricated on a substrate having a cathode including an emitter tip formed thereon by depositing a first insulating layer, a first conductive layer over the first insulating layer, etching the first conductive layer, depositing a second insulating layer over the etched first conductive layer, and depositing a second conductive or focus ring layer over the second insulating layer. A second selective etching may be formed to further define the gate and focus ring structures.