a process for producing a substrate 1 having a base - metal plating layer , which includes an immersion step for immersing the substrate 1 in a plating solution contained in a plating tank 33 , to thereby form a base - metal plating layer ; a washing step for removing the substrate 1 from the plating tank 33 , transferring the substrate 1 to a washing tank , and washing the substrate 1 ; and a cooling step for applying a cooling liquid to the substrate 1 during at least a portion of the period during which the substrate is transferred to a position where the washing step is carried out after completing the immersion step , to thereby cool the substrate 1 . an apparatus for carrying out the above process is also disclosed .