In order to operate Field Emission Displays (“FEDs”) contain an evacuated space. Generally, two soda-lime glass substrates, separated by a vacuum gap, act as cathode and anode. The vacuum gap is essential for the electrons to be emitted from the sharp cathode tips and travel towards the anode to give up their energy to the phosphor anode plate to emit light. The two plates and the frit seal holding the vacuum gap are under strain due to the atmospheric pressure acting on them. For small size FEDs , this strain is not a problem. However, for large area FEDs, the strain is detrimental both to the glass plates (2 mm thick) and frit seal. Under the strain, both the cathode and anode plates will buckle-in towards vacuum and, in turn, stress the frit seal, causing cracks and vacuum failure. To minimize this effect and enable the FED to operate normally, a field emissive display with a support plate for the cathode plate is disclosed. The support plate may reduce deflection of the cathode plate and decrease stress on the means for sealing the cathode plate to the anode plate. The support plate may be connected to the one side of the cathode plate at multiple points along the cathode plate. The support plate may also include plural channels with rounded inner walls defining spaces between the cathode plate and the support plate. Getter material may be provided in these spaces. To facilitate communication between the getter material in each channel, passages may be provided between the channels in the support plate.