An improved barrier stack. The barrier stack is made by the process of depositing the polymeric decoupling layer on a substrate; depositing a first inorganic layer on the decoupling layer under a first set of conditions wherein an ion and neutral energy arriving at the substrate is less than about 20 eV so that the first inorganic layer is not a barrier layer, wherein a temperature of the substrate is less than about 150.degree. C.; and depositing a second inorganic layer on the first inorganic layer under a second set of conditions wherein an ion and neutral energy arriving at the substrate is greater than about 50 eV so that the second inorganic layer is a barrier layer. Methods of reducing damage to a polymeric layer in a barrier stack are also described.