A method for creating segmented resist islands for photolithography on single sliders is disclosed. The method includes ramping the temperature of a number of single sliders, to a temperature that is below a proper softbake temperature. The single sliders reside in a divider and the single sliders and walls of the divider have a layer of resist deposited on them. Coarse lithography is then performed to remove the resist from above portions of the walls of the divider; and the temperature of the single sliders, the resist and the divider is then ramped to a proper softbake temperature.