X-ray phtoelectron spectroscopy has been used to obtain information on the behavior of the Pb catalysis and Sn sensitizer on the bariumtitanate ceramic substrate. SnF2 sensitization and PbCl2 activation process are used are used to prepare nonconductive substrate for electroless plating. This method of surface preparation is compared to Pd-Sn mixed solu tions and Ag pretreatment process. In all the case, the bonding energy is about 487.5eV for Sn and 336.5~337.5eV for Pb.