A method for printing a composite pattern into a photosensitive layer on a substrate which includes arranging a hologram mask on a first face of a coupling element; arranging the substrate substantially parallel and in proximity to the hologram mask and such that the substrate is laterally positioned with respect to the pattern recorded in the hologram mask; printing the pattern in focus into a part of the photosensitive layer by scanning an exposure beam over the hologram mask and reconstructing the pattern recorded therein while simultaneously measuring the local separation of the substrate and hologram mask where reconstruction is taking place by scanning a focus beam over the hologram mask and continuously correcting the separation by displacing the hologram mask and coupling element; and repeating said arranging and printing steps to print again the pattern into an unexposed part of the photosensitive layer.