A system and method for generating a modulation map to be supplied a spatial light modulator of a nanoimprint lithography system. Receiving a pixelated intermediate map for a spatial light modulator including a plurality of pixels based on a distortion model and a target light pattern. The pixelated intermediate map may have discontinuities. Generating a modulation map for the spatial light modulator by filling in discontinuities in the pixelated intermediate map. A first predicted light intensity map produced by the modulation map may be a closer approximation of the target light pattern than a second predicted light intensity map produced by the pixelated intermediate map.

Provided is an imprinting method suitable for positioning. The imprinting method includes: supplying an imprint material onto a substrate; bringing a patterned portion of a mold into contact with the imprint material, which has been supplied onto the substrate in the supplying of the imprint material, to form a pattern on the imprint material in a predetermined pattern region on the substrate; and increasing viscosity of the imprint material at a predetermined position, which includes a position of a predetermined mark provided on the substrate, other than the pattern region to be higher than viscosity of the imprint material in the pattern region after the supplying of the imprint material and before the bringing of the patterned portion into contact with the imprint material.