Abstract: The invention relates to the coupling of thin-layer chromatography with mass spectrometry with ionization of the separated analyte substances by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The invention performs thin-layer chromatography (TLC) directly on a contactable, electrically conductive carrier plate which, after generation of small matrix crystals at the surface by suitable application of a matrix solution and drying, can be directly inserted into a mass spectrometer so that the chromatographically separated analyte substances contained in the matrix crystals, can be ionized and analyzed by MALDI mass spectrometry. The invention covers type and shape of the carrier plates and the application procedure of the matrix solution to the carrier plates for MALDI analysis.