Abstract: An at least two-step process for the preparation of polyamide resins wherein, in the first step, polyvalent carboxylic acids, optionally together with monovalent carboxylic acids, are reacted with a stoichiometric deficiency of polyamines in the presence of an organic solvent which forms an azeotrope with water, water is distilled off, and the reaction is controlled by means of the amount of water formed by the condensation reaction and, optionally, by the imidazoline formation. After removal of the theoretical amount of water or a lesser amount, in a further step more amine is added to the reaction mixture in an amount sufficient to achieve a final amine number of 10 to 300 mgKOH/g, the reaction is continued, substantially all of the residual water is removed, and the residual solvent is completely or partially removed.