The present invention relates to a method for preparing polymeric films, preferably electroactive films, with enhanced physical properties by the steps of applying to a substrate a solution of a polymer containing pendant labile solubilizing groups, then removing the solvent and a sufficient concentration of the labile solubilizing groups render the polymer less soluble in the solvent than before the labile groups were removed. It is believed that the removal of pendant soluble groups a) permits optimization of the semiconducting backbone for charge transport performance, b) allows direct control of microstructure in the final film, and c) renders the final film more robust during subsequent process steps needed to construct multilayer devices.