A method for applying a fluid discharged from a slot die applicator to a substrate in a pattern, the slot die applicator including a slot opening, a first lip, and a second lip, the slot opening located between the first lip and the second lip; and the substrate having a first surface disposed opposite of a second surface and an unconstrained caliper, Hs, the method comprising the steps of: continuously advancing the substrate in a machine direction; engaging the substrate with a substrate carrier, the substrate carrier comprising: a non-compliant support surface and a pattern element, the pattern element including a pattern surface, wherein the pattern element extends away from the non-compliant support surface to define a first minimum distance, R1, between the pattern surface and the non-compliant support surface; positioning the substrate carrier adjacent the slot die applicator to define a minimum distance, Hg, between the pattern surface of the pattern element and the first lip and the second lip that is less than the unconstrained caliper, Hs, of the substrate; advancing the second surface of the substrate past the slot die applicator while the first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier; characterized in that intermittently deflecting the pattern surface toward the non-compliant support surface such to define a second minimum distance, R2, between the pattern surface and the non-compliant surface, wherein R2 is less than R1, by advancing the substrate and the pattern element past the first lip, the slot opening, and the second lip of the slot die applicator while the first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier; and discharging fluid from the slot opening of the slot die applicator onto the second surface of the substrate. continuously advancing the substrate in a machine direction; engaging the substrate with a substrate carrier, the substrate carrier comprising: a non-compliant support surface and a pattern element, the pattern element including a pattern surface, wherein the pattern element extends away from the non-compliant support surface to define a first minimum distance, R1, between the pattern surface and the non-compliant support surface; positioning the substrate carrier adjacent the slot die applicator to define a minimum distance, Hg, between the pattern surface of the pattern element and the first lip and the second lip that is less than the unconstrained caliper, Hs, of the substrate; advancing the second surface of the substrate past the slot die applicator while the first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier; characterized in that intermittently deflecting the pattern surface toward the non-compliant support surface such to define a second minimum distance, R2, between the pattern surface and the non-compliant surface, wherein R2 is less than R1, by advancing the substrate and the pattern element past the first lip, the slot opening, and the second lip of the slot die applicator while the first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier; and discharging fluid from the slot opening of the slot die applicator onto the second surface of the substrate.