Layered nanostructures are constructed by imprinting material with a mold, while selectively modifying and removing a portion of the mold. The mold, which includes a pattern of features, is modified so that the portion of the mold that includes the features is made chemically and/or physically distinct from the rest of the mold. That portion of the mold that includes the features is retained while the rest of the mold is removed. The retained portion of the mold provides mechanical support for any adjoining layer or layers.