A method for assembling a printhead such as an ink jet printhead can include the use of a laser to bond two or more printhead layers together. In an embodiment, a laser beam is directed through a transparent layer to an energy-absorbing layer, where the energy-absorbing layer is melted such that after removal of the laser beam the melted layer solidifies to adhere the energy-absorbing layer to the transparent layer. In another embodiment, heating the energy-absorbing layer melts the transparent layer to adhere the energy-absorbing layer to the transparent layer after removal of the laser beam. The laser transmission lamination process described can result in a fluid-tight seal which requires less processing time and materials over an adhesive-based process.