A method of positioning nanomaterials that includes forming a set of electrodes on a substrate, and covering the electrodes and substrate with a single layer of guiding dielectric material. The method may continue with patterning the guiding dielectric to provide dielectric guide features, wherein an exposed portion of the substrate between the dielectric guide features provides a deposition surface. A liquid medium containing at least one nanostructure is applied to the guiding dielectric features and the deposition surface. An electric field produced by the electrodes that is attenuated by the dielectric guide features creates an attractive force that guides the nanostructures to the deposition surface.