The object of the present invention is to provide a substrate for an organic EL element capable of forming an organic EL layer efficiently in a highly precise pattern in a short period of time, and an organic EL element having the preferable electric characteristics. To attain the object, the invention provides a substrate for an organic electroluminescent element comprising a base material, an electrode layer formed in a pattern on the base material, and a photocatalyst containing layer formed to cover the electrode layer and contains a photocatalyst and a binder so as to show the wettability change by the action of the photocatalyst accompanied by the energy irradiation, wherein the photocatalyst containing layer contains a portion with the signal intensity of the electron spin resonance spectrum derived from the hydroxy radical increased to 1,000 times or more in 1 second within 600 seconds of the start of the irradiation of the ultraviolet ray at the time of measuring the electron spin resonance spectrum while irradiating the ultraviolet ray.