Abstract: A method for producing a coating composed of an electroless metal plate, such as a copper plate, tightly bonded to a polyimide layer comprises a multi-step cure of the polyimide layer carried out in combination with a palladium-catalyzed electroless deposition process. A solution of a polyamic acid compound that is the precursor for the desired polyimide resin in a vaporizable solvent is applied to a substrate and heated preferably to temperature below 250.degree. C., to form a soft-cured polyimide film. The film is immersed in an aqueous palladium-tin colloidal suspension to deposit the colloidal particles thereon, which particles are then activated to form palladium nuclei dspersed on the surface. The soft-cured film is then heated, preferably above about 250.degree. C., to vaporize residual solvent and form a hard-cured polyimide layer having the palladium nuclei dispersed on the surface.