Electrophoretic deposition provides an efficient process for manufacturing a field emission cathode. Particles of an electron emitting material mixed with particles of an insulating material are deposited by electrophoretic deposition on a conducting layer overlying an insulating layer to produce the cathode. By controlling the composition of the deposition bath and by mixing insulating particles with emitting particles, an electrophoretic deposition process can be used to efficiently produce field emission cathodes that provide spatially and temporally stable field emission. The deposition bath for the field emission cathode includes an alcohol, a charging salt, water, and a dispersant. The field emission cathodes can be used as an electron source in a field emission display device.