In the process of substrate-induced deposition of particles from a dispersion (e.g. carbon black) the surface of the substrate is first covered with a water-soluble polymer film (e.g. gelatine). The subsequent immersion into a colloid dispersion leads to deposition of dispersed particles on the surface of the substrate. An atomic force microscope has been used to measure the distance dependence of the forces between microscopic-sized glass spheres coated with gelatine and a solid surface in the presence of an aqueous solution.