Protective overcoat for an imaging element comprising an enzyme-treated biopolymer

A method of making a photographic element with a water-resistant protective overcoat;

• the method comprising (i) providing a photographic element comprising a support, at least one silver-halide emulsion imaging layer comprising a gelatin binder superposed on a side of said support, a processing-solution-permeable overcoat overlying the silver-halide emulsion imaging layer, said overcoat comprising a hydrophobic polymer mixed with a biopolymer other than gelatin, (ii) imagewise exposing the photographic element to light;
• and (iii) developing the photographic element in a developer solution having a pH greater than 7;
• the method further comprising
• (a) treating the photographic element with an enzyme that digests the biopolymer in the overcoat but which does not substantially digest gelatin in any imaging layer;
• and
• (b) removing the digested biopolymer from the overcoat;
• (c) coalescing the hydrophobic polymer in the overcoat, thereby forming a water-resistant protective overcoat.