A display panel includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a first alignment film layer provided on the first substrate, wherein the first alignment film is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of protruding regions formed about a perimeter edge portion of the first substrate, wherein the plurality of protruding regions include an associated trench region provided in a plurality thereof, wherein each trench region includes at least one trench, each trench being configured to retain a portion of the first alignment film layer or the second alignment film layer when sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to limit shrinkage of the first alignment film layer or the second alignment film layer during operation of the display panel.