1) substrat in ABS or other polymers
2) etching :
creation of a rough surface in order to allow the deposit of metal
3) activation or catalysis :
deposit of a stable colloidal palladium, which metal will catalyse the deposit of chemical nickel
4) acceleration :
elimination of the protective colloide of the palladium and activation
5) chemical nickel or copper :
the part is now conductive for the electrolytical process