A structured composite surface includes a backing layer and a plurality of composite posts in contact with the backing layer, each composite post having a core made of a first material and an outer shell made of a second material, the outer shell is in contact with and surrounding the core, the core has a Young's modulus of at least 50 times greater than the outer shell. A method of transfer printing includes pressing a stamp including at least one composite post to a substrate, the at least one composite post having a core made of a first material and an outer shell made of a second material, the outer shell is in contact with and surrounding the core, the core has a Young's modulus at least 50 times greater than the outer shell, and retracting the stamp from the substrate by applying a shear load to the stamp.