Abstract: A process for the preparation of light color, odor free novolaks which have high melting points, high condensation levels, good solubility and uniform compositions which comprises reacting in at least one stage a) at least one alkyl-free phenol, b) at least one condensation product of formaldehyde and at least one alkyl phenol, the said condensation product containing at least one member selected from the group consisting methylol groups and methylene ether linkages, and c) less than one mole of formaldehyde calculated on the basis of the total number of moles of phenol and alkyl phenol present and including the formaldehyde already present in the alkyl phenol-formaldehyde condensation product, in the presence of an acid catalyst, such that the ratio of the product of (moles of alkyl phenol .times. number of carbon atoms in the alkyl radicals of the alkyl phenol)/(the total molar number of phenolic hydroxy groups in the starting materials) is from (0.6 to 1.