A device for aligning and bringing a large-area substrate into contact with a carrier substrate comprising: a substrate holding means for attaching the substrate; a carrier substrate holding means for attaching the carrier substrate; detection means for detection of a peripheral contour of the substrate attached to the substrate holding means and detection of a peripheral contour of the carrier substrate attached to the carrier substrate holding means relative to a contact plane of the substrate with the carrier substrate; aligning means for aligning the substrate relative to the carrier substrate; and contacting means for bringing the substrate into contact with the carrier substrate.