An electric current is used in the procedure to minimize dissolved metal cations and create a thin coherent metal coating on the electrode. The electrical oxidation of anions on a solid substrate, such as the creation of silver chloride on silver wire to make silver chloride electrodes, is frequently accomplished by electroplating.

Electroplating is most commonly used to change an object's surface characteristics, but the procedure may also be used to create thickness or manufacture items through electro forming.