An organic matrix diode backplane for driving an electrophoretic display with an unpatterned front plane electrode is reported. Using thin film diodes instead of transistors as the active components in the pixels enable the backplane to be manufactured using roll-to-roll compatible printing processes. The backplane functionality is demonstrated in an electrophoretic display using 16 copper pixel electrodes, each of which is connected to two printed organic diodes. The printed diodes have sputtered copper cathodes and printed silver anodes. The diodes and pixels are arranged in a lateral 4 by 4 matrix structure with a dielectric layer separating the row and column electrodes. The dielectric, semiconductor and silver layers are all printed using a laboratory-scale rotary gravure press. The display module is finalized by laminating the front plane material onto the backplane. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.