Modern micro- and nano-fabrication methods provide a new avenue to prepare controlled model catalysts, which realistically mimic real supported catalysts. Such catalysts consist of 2D arrays of active catalysts deposited on active or inactive support materials. Particle size, shape, separation and support can be systematically varied. Such structures are easily accessible to scanning probe imaging and surface analysis techniques. This approach to build 2D analogues of supported catalysts is illustrated by Pt particles in the size range 10–500 nm deposited on alumina and ceria. The manufacturing technique, electron beam lithography and ‘lift-off’, is described. Its current limitations and future perspectives are discussed briefly.