We present here a new approach to the generation of two-colour patterned films of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] (MEHPPV) starting from a single precursor containing two different types of eliminable groups; one that is thermally labile only in the presence of an acid while the other is labile even in its absence. We demonstrate the potential use of these patterned structures for optoelectronic device applications. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.