A method for producing a predefined pattern onto a substrate surface, comprising: providing a compressible non-porous membrane comprising a distal tip and operably connected to an enclosed material reservoir; providing a plate having a trough inscribed with the predefined pattern therewithin; filling said trough with a selected material by loading the material into the enclosed material reservoir; positioning the enclosed material reservoir over the plate; transferring material from the reservoir into the trough of the plate; moving the enclosed material reservoir away from the trough filled with material so as to expose the trough for the subsequent engagement with the non-porous membrane; and wiping away any excess material along the plate; moving said non-porous membrane to a first location above the trough as the enclosed material reservoir is moved away from the trough; lowering the non-porous membrane toward the plate such that a selected surface of the non-porous membrane is engaged with said material and said material is transferred from the trough onto the surface of the membrane, wherein said material adheres to the membrane in a manner that conforms to the predefined pattern contained within said trough, wherein in said first location it is avoided that the distal tip is immersed in the trough; lifting the non-porous membrane; moving the membrane to a second location above the substrate as the enclosed material reservoir is positioned over the plate; lowering the non-porous membrane and engaging the selected surface of the membrane with the substrate; transferring said material from the membrane to the substrate thereby producing the pattern on the substrate; and lifting the membrane away from said substrate. providing a compressible non-porous membrane comprising a distal tip and operably connected to an enclosed material reservoir; providing a plate having a trough inscribed with the predefined pattern therewithin; filling said trough with a selected material by loading the material into the enclosed material reservoir; positioning the enclosed material reservoir over the plate; transferring material from the reservoir into the trough of the plate; moving the enclosed material reservoir away from the trough filled with material so as to expose the trough for the subsequent engagement with the non-porous membrane; and wiping away any excess material along the plate; loading the material into the enclosed material reservoir; positioning the enclosed material reservoir over the plate; transferring material from the reservoir into the trough of the plate; moving the enclosed material reservoir away from the trough filled with material so as to expose the trough for the subsequent engagement with the non-porous membrane; and wiping away any excess material along the plate; moving said non-porous membrane to a first location above the trough as the enclosed material reservoir is moved away from the trough; lowering the non-porous membrane toward the plate such that a selected surface of the non-porous membrane is engaged with said material and said material is transferred from the trough onto the surface of the membrane, wherein said material adheres to the membrane in a manner that conforms to the predefined pattern contained within said trough, wherein in said first location it is avoided that the distal tip is immersed in the trough; lifting the non-porous membrane; moving the membrane to a second location above the substrate as the enclosed material reservoir is positioned over the plate; lowering the non-porous membrane and engaging the selected surface of the membrane with the substrate; transferring said material from the membrane to the substrate thereby producing the pattern on the substrate; and lifting the membrane away from said substrate.