Method to make thin film electrically-conductive pattern

A method for providing an article comprising an electrically-conductive metal-containing pattern, the method comprising, in order:

• A-1) providing a pattern of a catalytic ink on a surface of a first substrate;
• A-2) curing the pattern of the catalytic ink sufficient to form a cured catalytic ink pattern;
• A-3) electrolessly plating a metal on the cured catalytic ink pattern to form a metallic pattern on the cured catalytic ink pattern on the surface of the first substrate;
• B) applying a first darkening agent directly to a first surface of the metallic pattern to form a first darkened surface of the metallic pattern opposite the surface of the first substrate;
• C) transferring the metallic pattern to a surface of a second substrate so that the first darkened surface is in direct contact with the surface of the second substrate, leaving an undarkened second surface of the metallic pattern exposed to view;
• and
• D) applying a second darkening agent directly to the undarkened second surface of the metallic pattern, to form a second darkened surface of the metallic pattern opposite the surface of the second substrate.