A microelectronic package includes a microelectronic element having faces,
contacts and an outer perimeter, and a flexible substrate overlying and
spaced from a first face of the microelectronic element, an outer region
of the flexible substrate extending beyond the outer perimeter of the
microelectronic element. The package includes a plurality of etched
conductive posts exposed at a surface of the flexible substrate and being
electrically interconnected with the microelectronic element, wherein at
least one of the conductive posts is disposed in the outer region of the
flexible substrate, and a compliant layer disposed between the first face
of the microelectronic element and the flexible substrate, wherein the
compliant layer overlies the at least one of the conductive posts that is
disposed in the outer region of the flexible substrate. The package
includes an encapsulating mold material in contact with the
microelectronic element and the compliant layer, whereby the
encapsulating mold material overlies the outer region of the flexible
substrate.