The invention concerns a method of removing encapsulating material from encapsulated particles deposited onto a substrate. According to the method, a substrate is used which is capable of facilitating said removal of encapsulating material. The particles may be nanoparticles. In particular, the substrate-facilitated removal may result in sintering of the particles. The invention provides a novel way of functionalizing electronic structures using particulate matter and for conveniently producing e.g. printed electronics devices.