An arrangement for improving adhesive attachment of micro-components in an assembly utilizes a plurality of parallel-disposed slots formed in the top surface of the substrate used to support the micro-components. The slots are used to control the flow and “shape” of an adhesive “dot” so as to quickly and accurately attach a micro-component to the surface of a substrate. The slots are formed (preferably, etched) in the surface of the substrate in a manner that lends itself to reproducible accuracy from one substrate to another. Other slots (“channels”) may be formed in conjunction with the bonding slots so that extraneous adhesive material will flow into these channels and not spread into unwanted areas.