Abstract: A process for fabricating sliders where the sliders are held in place during processing by a solid matrix material is described. A thin coating of a release-layer material is applied on the sliders before encapsulation in the matrix material. The release-layer material is polyvinyl alcohol and more preferably high molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol which is highly hydrolyzed. Use of the release-layer of the invention maintains the process resistance while providing the advantage of allowing easier removal of the matrix material after it is no longer needed. The release-layer can be applied to encapsulant materials including epoxies, acrylates, polyimides, silsesquioxanes and others. After the selected fabrication process such as the formation of air-bearing features an appropriate solvent is applied to soften the polyvinyl alcohol film and allow clean debonding of the sliders.