To provide a simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for manufacturing an artificial nail for decoration which is previously formed to a metal- like decorative appearance.

The method for manufacturing the metallic artificial nail to be attached to the natural nail includes a process step of joining a metallic base material (15) provided with a thermally activated layer (16) to a deformed nail body (10) by heat stamping the metallic base material to the nail body. Also, a die set (18) for heat stamping the metallic base material to the deformed nail body for the purpose of forming the metallic artificial nail is provided. The die set has a die (26) including a first deformed surface (30) which is substantially aligned to the contour of the base surface of the nail body and supports the nail body within the die set and a punch (22) which includes a second deformed surface (28) existing to face the first deformed surface. The second deformed surface is substantially aligned to the contour of the top face of the nail body in order to align the metallic base material to the contour of the top face of the nail body in heat stamping.