In a bi-layer lift-off process, the adhesion characteristics of a PMGI release layer are substantially improved by the use of ortho-hydroxy substituted 4-phenylazo compounds (azo dyes), a class of nonactinic dyes, as an adhesion promoter additive. These azo dyes, due to their chemical structure, exhibit selective binding to various metals by acting as a chelating ligand to the metal surface. Formulations of a specific azo dye, Sudan Orange G, at concentrations from 0.25 to 1.0 percent (by weight) in PMGI exhibits no loss of adhesion at prebake temperatures in the range of 120 to 160 degrees C.