An example fuel injector orifice plate assembly includes a plastic plate within which is an orifice for metering and directing fuel flow in a desired spray pattern, and a metal support plate for supporting and maintaining the stability of the desired spray pattern generated by the orifices within the plastic plate. The orifice plate includes orifices sized to provide a desired spray pattern of fuel. The metal support plate is more rigid than the orifice plate and provides the desired strength and rigidity for withstanding the cyclical pressure fluctuations caused by operation of the fuel injector.