A method of making a 
lead frame and a partially patterned 
lead frame package with near-
chip scale packaging (CSP) lead-counts is disclosed, wherein the method lends itself to better 
automation of the 
manufacturing line as well as to improving the quality and reliability of the packages produced therefrom. This is accomplished by performing a major portion of the manufacturing process steps with a partially patterned strip of 
metal formed into a web-like 
lead frame on one side, in contrast with the conventional fully etched stencil-like lead frames, so that the web-like lead frame, which is 
solid and flat on the other side is also rigid mechanically and robust thermally to perform without 
distortion or deformation during the 
chip-attach and wire bond processes, both at the 
chip level and the 
package level. The bottom side of the 
metal lead frame is patterned to isolate the chip-pad and the wire bond contacts only after the front side, including the chip and wires, is hermetically sealed with an encapsulant. The 
resultant package being electrically isolated enables strip testing and reliable singulation without having to 
cut into any additional 
metal. The use of the instant partially patterned lead frame in making ELP, ELPF and ELGA-type CSPs is also disclosed.