A method to control the post sinter distortion of free sintered multilayer ceramic substrates by placing a discrete non-densifying structure in the green ceramic laminate prior to sintering. One or several discrete non-densifying structures are placed on one or more ceramic greensheets which are then stacked and laminated to form a green ceramic laminate. The laminate is then sintered and the discrete non-densifying structure will locally control the dimensions of the free sintered multilayer ceramic substrate. The method can be used to control post sinter dimensions in MLC substrates manufactured as either single or multi-up substrates by placing the discrete non-densifying structure in the active area or in the kerf area between the individual product ups prior to sintering.