Electrophoretic deposition process

A cataphoretic process for forming a negative image on a conductive surface comprising:

• (a) utilizing said conductive surface as the cathode and an inert material as an anode to form a electrolytic cell;
• (b) immersing said cathode and said anode in a photosensitive polymer composition comprising an aqueous solution or emulsion of at least one polymer free of ethylenic unstauration and having positively charged carrier groups, a photoinitiator and a unsaturated crosslinking monomer;
• (c) completing the electrolytic circuit by connecting the anode and cathode to a direct current voltage source;
• (d) applying a potential across the anode, cathode and polymeric solution or emulsion until said current is decreased to less than about 15 percent of the initial current to coat said cathode;
• (e) discontinuing the applied potential and removing said coated cathode from said cell;
• (f) exposing portions of said coated cathode to a source of actinic radiation;
• and
• (g) developing the unexposed portions of said coated cathode using an aqueous solution of an organic acid to form a negative crosslinked polymer image on said surface, said image being resistant to etchants or plating solutions but capable of being stripped from said cathode surface using an aqueous solution.