We coated inorganic layer containing oxygen, aluminium, phosphorus, and negligible sodium (APO) on stainless steel (STS) by using slot-die coating method and studied its application prospects as a substrate for flexible devices. The APO layer was compositionally uniform in overall area with an amorphous crystal structure. Surface morphology characterization of STS exhibited an improved flatness after the APO layer coating process. The optical property characterization of the APO film carried out by measuring optical reflectance spectrum and refractive index. We also investigated the electrical-transport mechanism in the APO layer. These experimental observations imply the possibility of potential application of APO-STS as a substrate for flexible devices. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.