The present invention provides a method that is capable of crystallizing a very small amount of solution arranged on a substrate at a predetermined position. By ejecting a solution prepared by dissolving a thin film forming material in a solvent using an ink jet method, droplets of the solution are arranged on the substrate. Crystalline nuclei are created in the solution by controlling a partial pressure of a gas made up of the same components as those of the solvent in the vicinity of the droplets immediately after being arranged to, e.g., a value equal to or substantially equal to the saturation vapor pressure. After creation of the crystalline nuclei, the partial pressure of the gas in the vicinity of the droplets is reduced.