A series of hierarchical channels are formed in a first member surface of a first member using a continuous-feed manufacturing process. The channels are configured to control particle stacking. The first member is pressed to a second member with a layer of particle-filled viscous material between the first member surface and a second member surface of the second member. An inventive assembly includes mating surfaces with at least one surface formed with a series of parallel hierarchical channels configured to control stacking of the particles during pressing together of the surfaces. The surface is substantially free of any other hierarchical channels formed thereon.