Different kinds of highly ordered patterns of NaYF4:Yb, Er nanoparticles on gold substrates were fabricated using a simple method combining micro-contact printing and "breath figures" techniques. Ordered arrays of water droplets were first formed in the hydrophilic regions of patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). This was subsequently submerged in a chloroform solution of NaYF4:Yb, Er nanoparticles. The particles were spontaneously assembled at the interface of chloroform/water droplet surface, leading to different kinds of uniform patterns after solvent evaporation. The structures of NaYF4:Yb, Er particles patterns depended on the dimension of the substrate, the concentration of the NaYF4:Yb, Er nanoparticles and the water condensation process. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.