The substrate is usually kept at a distant location in traditional thermal spraying, and substrate melting, which can improve splat adhesion usually does not happen. By moving the substrate close to the plasma flame and attaching a temperature control device to the backside of the substrate, as well as by additional heating from the molten droplets, substrate melting may occur and directional splat solidification becomes possible. In this proposed design, the substrate temperature is controlled by spray distance, flame temperature and initial substrate temperature. The variations of particle in-flight characteristics and contact interface temperature on spray distance are investigated. Optimal operating conditions are determined.