A separation method allows a carrier substrate and a resin layer to be separated without, for example, breaking the resin layer for use in a final product, such that the resin layer can be rendered easy to handle thereafter. A protection step coats the surface of a resin layer with a protective film. A holding-by-suction step retains by suction the coated resin layer on a suction stage with a flat suction surface. After the back surface of the carrier substrate is supported at or near a first end by a support roller capable of moving from the first end to a second end of the carrier substrate, a peeling step lowers the first end of the carrier substrate while moving the support roller toward the second end, thereby peeling the carrier substrate from the resin layer while bending the carrier substrate at a portion supported by the support roller.