A flexible electrode includes a flexible, electrically insulative substrate, a bonding layer disposed on a first surface of the substrate, a conductive layer disposed on a second surface of the substrate, and a via through the bonding layer and the substrate that exposes a portion of the reverse surface of the conductive layer. The exposed portion of the reverse surface can be secured (e.g., soldered) to a conductive contact, such as a conductive pill, on an exterior surface of a catheter shaft. The flexible electrode can then be wrapped around the exterior surface of the shaft to form a ring electrode and the bonding layer can be bonded to the catheter shaft, such as by reflow bonding.