A process for forming a layer of metal on a substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a bath of a molten metal in a vessel; (b) circulating said molten metal in said bath such that said molten metal is projected above the upper surface of said vessel (c) transporting a substrate along a path which traverses the upper surface of said vessel; and (d) transferring said molten metal to one surface of said substrate by directly or indirectly contracting said molten metal with said surface of said substrate, and an apparatus for performing the method is disclosed.