In one embodiment, a method of fabrication of a stimulation lead comprising a plurality of segmented electrodes for stimulation of tissue of a patient, the method comprises: providing an elongated, substantially cylindrical substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of recesses defined in an outer surface of the substrate; coating the substrate with conductive material; patterning conductive material on the substrate to form a plurality of electrode surfaces for at least the plurality of segmented electrodes and a plurality of traces connected to the plurality of electrode surfaces, wherein each electrode surface and its corresponding trace are defined in the recesses on the outer surface of the substrate and are electrically isolated from other electrode surfaces and traces; providing insulative material over at least the plurality of traces; and electrically coupling the plurality of traces to conductive wires of a lead body.