An array of vertically aligned electron emitting nanotips such as multiwall carbon nanotubes are formed for use as a lithographic stamp. Crosswire addressing is used to generate electron emission from particular nanotips within the array. The nanotip array may be used to cure a resist, produce localized electrochemical reactions, establish localized electrostatic charge distributions, or perform other desirable coating or etching process steps so as to create nanoelectronic circuitry or to facilitate molecular or nanoscale processing.