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 . <EOS>