The present invention describes a novel coating process that comprises the use of a functional photoinitiator, or a macroinitiator derived therefrom, in a cascade of process steps, wherein, on the one hand, a functional photoinitiator or a macroinitiator derived therefrom is covalently bonded to a carrier and, on the other hand, an oligomer or polymer forming a new surface layer is covalently bonded to the functional photoinitiator, or to the carrier modified by a functional photoinitiator, via functional groups that are co-reactive with isocyanate groups. The invention relates also to novel intermediates that are carriers to which functional photoinitiators that contain free isocyanate groups are bonded.