A thin printed flexible electrochemical cell (101), and its method of manufacture, using a "picture frame" (113) structure sealed, for example, with a high moisture and oxygen barrier polymer film and featuring, for example, a printed cathode (130) deposited on an optional, highly conductive carbon printed cathode collector (131) with a printed or a foil strip anode (115) placed adjacent to the cathode (130). A viscous or gelled electrolyte (299) is dispensed and/or printed in the cell (101), and a top laminate (112) can then be sealed onto the picture frame (113). Such a construction could allow the entire cell (101) to be made on a printing press, for example, as well as gives the opportunity to integrate the battery directly with an electronic application, for example.