A process for producing a coating source for physical vapour deposition provides the coating source with a target layer formed of an at least two-phase composite which contains a metallic phase and at least one further phase and a mechanical stabilizing layer which is joined to the target layer on one side of the target layer. A first powder mixture which corresponds in terms of its composition to the at least two-phase composite and a second powder mixture which corresponds in terms of its composition to the mechanical stabilizing layer are densified hot in superposed layers. A coating source for physical vapour deposition is also provided.