A method is provided for bonding spacers (22) to an anode (12) and/or cathode (24) of a flat panel display. The method comprises forming a black matrix layer (26) between a ductile metal layer (28) and a first display plate (12), the black matrix layer (26) and the ductile metal layer (28) defining a plurality of regions (20) surrounding a plurality of pixels (16). A cathodoluminescent material (18) is formed within each of the pixels (16) and an aluminum layer (32) may be formed on the silver layer (28) and the cathodoluminescent layer (18). A first end (52) of each of a plurality of spacers is attached to one each of the regions (20), wherein a thermocompression bonding positions the spacer (22) contiguous to the ductile metal layer (28). The second display plate (24), e.g., cathode, is attached to a second end of each of the plurality of spacers (22).