A method for providing a stop-off material on a workpiece is provided, as is an associated assembly. A maskant is provided on the workpiece such that a first portion of the workpiece is exposed and a second portion of the workpiece is covered by the maskant. The stop-off is then disposed, with the maskant on the workpiece preventing the stop-off from being applied to the second portion of the workpiece. The maskant is removed from the workpiece leaving the stop-off disposed on a select portion of the workpiece. The removal of the maskant can leave the workpiece substantially free of debris. Thereafter, the workpiece can be further processed, e.g., by diffusion bonding, with the stop-off preventing diffusion bonding of part of the workpiece.