Planarization method and photocurable composition

A planarization method comprising:

• arranging a liquid curable composition directly onto a solid surface of a substrate having unevenness without forming an intermediate liquid film, wherein the liquid curable composition is applied in accordance with the unevenness of the substrate;
• bringing a contacting member, which has a smooth surface over a contact region, into contact with the liquid curable composition on a surface of the substrate;
• curing the liquid curable composition to form a cured composition;
• and
• releasing the contacting member from the cured composition,
• wherein the liquid curable composition contains at least a polymerizable compound, and
• wherein the arranging includes:
• dropping droplets of the liquid curable composition;
• and
• waiting without contacting the contacting member until the droplets flow to spread over the solid surface of the substrate such that the liquid curable composition covers 99% or more of an area of a planarization area,
• wherein the waiting is such that the droplets of the liquid curable composition spread and combine with neighboring droplets.