A compliant electrostatic transfer head and method of forming a compliant electrostatic transfer head are described. In an embodiment, a compliant electrostatic transfer head includes a base substrate, a cavity template layer on the base substrate, a first confinement layer between the base substrate and the cavity template layer, and a patterned device layer on the cavity template layer. The patterned device layer includes an electrode that is deflectable toward a cavity in the cavity template layer. In an embodiment, a second confinement layer is between the cavity template layer and the patterned device layer.