An apparatus (10) for, and method of, placing a plurality of spacers (12) between a parallel opposed anode and cathode (20) of an emissive display includes temporarily securing, by applying a vacuum for example, a first side of one of the anode or cathode to a base (14) having a plurality of electromagnets (16) positioned therein. The electromagnets (16) attract a first side of each of the plurality of spacers (12), thereby positioning each of the spacers (12) in a desired location on a second side of the one of the anode or cathode (20). The spacers (12) may be provided from a shuffling tray (40) having a plurality of openings (42), each opening (42) approximately aligned with one of the electromagnets (16) and shaped so as to present the first side to the electromagnet (16) to the one of the anode or cathode (20).