A microelectromechanical systems device (730) having a transparent substrate (710) joined to a planar backplate (720) with a raised perimeter structure (740a) forming a recessed cavity or cell (780). The raised perimeter structure (740a) is formed by applying a first layer (740a) around the peripheral area of the backplate (720) to form a recessed cell (780). A second layer (740b) is applied over the first layer. The first layer (740a) is thicker than the second layer (740b). The thicker layer (740a) comprises a viscous material. A second layer (740b) is a thinner adhesive layer, and is applied over the thicker layer (740a) to join the backplate (720) to the transparent substrate (710) to encapsulate the microelectromechanical systems device (730) formed on the transparent substrate (710).