That would be a positive process then, and you would need the inverted image, or isolation routing mentioned before. The means to achieve the exposed copper is of less importance, I just suck at spray painting so I use the dry film laminated onto the board, or ready made boards with the film pre-applied.
The isolation routing would be preferable as you don't etch more than you have to, but for some applications leaving isolated/floating islands of copper fill may be undesirable.