A method is provided for forming a direct emission display. The method provides a transparent substrate with an array of wells formed in its top surface. A fluid stream is supplied to the substrate top surface comprising a plurality of top-contact light emitting diode (LED) disks. The wells are filled with the LED disks. A first array of electrically conductive lines is formed over the substrate top surface to connect with a first contact of each LED disk, and a second array of electrically conductive lines is formed over the substrate top surface to connect with a second contact of each LED disk. An insulator over the disk exposes an upper disk (e.g., p-doped) contact region. A via is formed through the disk, exposing a center contact region of a lower (e.g., n-doped) disk contact region. Also provided are a top-contact LED disk and direct emission display.