A method for making a microstructure includes: providing a film (100) on a release liner (110); feeding the film through a cutting plotter (10); cutting the film with a knife blade (34) of the cutting plotter to form a microstructure pattern; peeling the microstructure pattern from the release liner; and transferring the microstructure pattern to a substrate (170). The cutting plotter for making microstructures includes a knife head with a knife blade disposed adjacent a feed mechanism (20), a motor (42) and control system coupled to the knife head for selectively moving the knife head in relation to the film, and the control system and the knife head having an addressable positioning resolution less than approximately 10 μm.