We report a multi-technique study of the adsorption kinetics and self-assembly characteristics of EP-PTCDI grown on Ag(111) at UHV conditions and room temperature. Changes in the valence band characteristics for the mono and the multilayer film and the stability as a function of the annealing temperature are discussed. The results show that the molecules start to adsorb on the step edges forming ordered islands that grow to fully cover a monolayer. Further exposure results in the stacking of similarly ordered islands of several layers. The desorption experiment shows that the film is stable up to 150 °C where a rapid desorption of the multilayer takes place, followed by a decomposition of the molecules for temperatures higher than 170 °C. © 2009 the Owner Societies.