A method for forming an organic electronic device, which method comprises
the steps of: a) forming a negative image of a desired pattern on a
substrate or device layer with a lift-off ink; b) coating a first device
layer to be patterned on top of the negative image; c) coating one or
more further device layers to be patterned on top of the first device
layer to be patterned; and d) removing the lift-off ink and unwanted
portions of the device layers above it, thereby leaving the desired
pattern of device layers. The method allows the formation of a device
structure wherein the device layers to be patterned are self-aligned. The
method enables a multiplicity of layers to be patterned in a single set
of printing and lift-off steps using one pattern which ensures the
excellent vertical alignment of edges, which would be difficult to
achieve by direct printing. Horizontal alignment can also be achieved.
The size of the device features can be reduced below the actual printing
resolution. Examples of organic electronic devices include OFETs, OLEDs,
memory, sensing elements, solar cells, photo-sensors, photoreceptors for
electrophotography and the like.