A system and method are provided enabling higher precision in composite based additive manufacturing (‘AM”). The method includes staging a fibrous material such as carbon fiber sheets by potentially cutting to length and placing a sheet onto an elevator. Above the elevator is a gantry that holds a moveable print head and a powder deposition device as well as an excess powder recapture device. A liquid is placed onto the fiber by the print head such that when the subsequent step of dusting the area with a plastic powder, the powder sticks to the area where the liquid was imaged. Subsequently, excess powder is removed and pressure and potentially heat are applied to sinter the layer and compress to the desired height.