A process of providing a pattern of a metal on a non-conductive substrate
to create loop antennae for wireless articles and for creating circuitry
for smart cards, such as phone cards is provided. The method comprises
the steps of catalyzing the non-conductive substrate by applying a
catalytic ink, reducing a source of catalytic metal ions in the catalytic
ink to its associated metal, depositing electroless metal on the pattern
of catalytic ink on the surface of the substrate; and plating
electrolytic metal on the electroless metal layer to produce the desired
pattern of metal on the non-conductive substrate. The catalytic ink
typically comprises one or more solvents, a source of catalytic metal
ions, a crosslinking agent, one or more copolymers, a polyurethane
polymer, and, optionally, one or more fillers.