A substrate processing method of a substrate provided with an anti-reflective coating which extends to or beyond a peripheral edge of the substrate is disclosed. The method includes removing a portion of the anti-reflective coating adjacent to and around a periphery of the substrate using a back-side removal process, depositing a layer of radiation sensitive material onto the anti-reflective coating, depositing a top-coat layer onto the layer of radiation sensitive material, and simultaneously removing a portion of the layer of radiation sensitive material and a portion of the top-coat layer from around an area adjacent to the periphery of the substrate using a top-side removal process.