Abstract: This invention provides a process and an apparatus for baking an organic coating which has been applied to a substrate. Such coated substrates are conventionally baked in a furnace using a mixture of combustion gas and air. This process in uneconomical in terms of energy consumption and also involves cleansing of used gases before they can be discharged into the atmosphere. The present invention provides a rapid process for baking such coatings in an inert gas atmosphere by means of short-wavelength infra-red rays. Coatings are heated in such a penetrating manner than they are baked at the substrate/coating interface and this prevents the formation of swellings.