Abstract: The present invention provides a soft lithographic stamp (30) and a method for the manufacturing of such a stamp (30). A stamp (30) according to the present invention comprises blocking regions (37) and printing regions (38). The blocking regions (37) are formed of a material which is different from the material the printing regions (38) are formed of and which exhibits a reduced permeability, diffusivity or absorbing or adsorbing capability to the printing compound, such that it prevents or significantly reduces chemical or physical transport or transfer of the printing compound from the blocking regions to a substrate that has to be patterned or printed.

Abstract: An elastomeric stamp (10) is provided, which has a bulk surface (12) from which protruding features (14, 14?) extend. A barrier layer (20) covers the bulk surface (12) and the protruding features (14, 14?). After applying an ink solution to the elastomeric stamp (10) and drying the elastomeric stamp (10), the elastomeric stamp (10) is brought into contact with a surface (42) of a first substrate (40). The surface (42) of the first substrate (40) has a high affinity with the ink molecules (32), which is utilized to effectively remove the ink molecules (32) from the contact surfaces (16, 16?) of the protruding features (14, 14?). Subsequently, the elastomeric stamp (10) is brought into contact with the surface (52) of a second substrate (50). Ink molecules 32 are transferred from the edges (18, 18?) of the protruding features (14, 14?) to the surface (52) of a second substrate (50), thus forming an ink pattern in the form of a selfassembled monolayer on this surface (52).