Adhesion strength of electroless-plated Ni, Ni-P and Cu deposites on alumina substrate has been studied. Grain boundary spaces produced on the substrate surface by etching treatment provided anchoring sites for enhancing the adhesion strength. Adhesion strengths of Ni-P and Ni deposit were higher than that of Cu deposit, because of higher initial nucleation rates than the latter. The electroless-plated Ni-P and Ni underlayer improved the adhesion strength of the Cu deposit. In could be attributed to the enhanced adhesion between the substrate and those underlayers as well as the satisfactory adhesion between Cu deposits and those underlayers. Heat treatment was also conducted in order to enhance the adhesion strength of Cu layer. The strength was enhanced by about 19% when the treatment was conducted at $150^{circ}C$ for 2 hours. The enhancement was attributed to relief of internal stress and release of hydrogen.