A method for the preparation of Pt(1 1 1) like thin films and thin film Cu-Pt(1 1 1) near-surface alloys (where Cu is preferentially located in the subsurface region) is reported in detail. Cyclic voltammograms of the resultant Pt(1 1 1)-like thin films in 0.1 M HClO4 demonstrate characteristic "butterfly" peaks attributed to the disorder/order phase transition in the adsorbed *OH layer, typical for a large Pt(1 1 1) crystals. Modification of the film surface with a monolayer of Cu and subsequent annealing in a reducing Ar/H-2(5%) atmosphere, the voltammograms resemble those obtained for Cu-Pt(11 1) near-surface alloys prepared on commercial bulk single crystals. This method shows promise for the fabrication of extended (1 1 1)-type alloy surfaces of Pt and its alloys and can additionally be used to up-scale model objects for wider industrial and laboratory applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.