A fluid dispensing subassembly includes a diaphragm arranged to be operated on by a transducer, an aperture array through which fluid is forced onto a substrate, a manifold body between the diaphragm and the aperture array, a spacer between the manifold body and the aperture array, the spacer arranged to form a gap at least partially overlapping the manifold, and a compliant film arranged between the manifold body and the spacer such that the fluid resides on a side of the film adjacent the manifold, and that the film is unsupported by the spacer over a least a portion of the manifold. A fluid dispensing subassembly, includes a first set of plates including a diaphragm to be operated on by a transducer, a second set of plates including at least one manifold plate to direct ink to an aperture plate forming an exterior surface of the second set of plates, and a polymer compliant film arranged in between the first and second sets of plates to attach the first and second sets of plates together to form the fluid dispensing subassembly. A method of manufacturing a fluid dispensing subassembly includes forming a first structure of at least a diaphragm, forming a second structure of at least a manifold body, placing a polymer compliant film between the first and second structures, and using the polymer compliant film as an adhesive to attach the first and second structures of plates together, forming a fluid dispensing subassembly.