Embodiments disclosed herein include methods of depositing a positive tone photoresist using dry deposition and oxidation treatment processes. In an example, a method for forming a photoresist layer over a substrate in a vacuum chamber includes providing a metal precursor vapor into the vacuum chamber. The method further includes providing an oxidant vapor into the vacuum chamber, where a reaction between the metal precursor vapor and the oxidant vapor results in the formation of a positive tone photoresist layer on a surface of the substrate. The positive tone photoresist layer is a metal-oxo containing material. The method further includes performing a post anneal process of the metal-oxo containing material in an oxygen-containing environment.