In this paper, graphite/copper composites with high performance were fabricated by a novel two-steps electroless plating and spark plasma sintering. The interfacial characterization and modification mechanism of nickel coating in the composites were analyzed. Effects of sintering temperature and Ni volume fraction on the mechanical properties and microstructure of composites were also systematically investigated. The results showed that the introduction of Ni coating could significantly improve the interfacial bonding between Cu matrix and graphite and led to the uniform distribution of graphite particles in Cu matrix. Moreover, the mechanical properties of composites increased obviously with the increase of Ni coating content from 0 vol.% to 10 vol.%. When the Ni content was 10 vol. %, the relative density, hardness, and compressive strength of the composites reached to 99.8%, 67.8 HB and 314 MPa, respectively. [GRAPHICS] .