Abstract: Apparatus for forming matchbox skillets from pre-printed sheets, each sheet having a plurality of rows of matchbox blanks printed thereon. The apparatus includes a sheet feeder for storing pre-printed sheets and removing the sheets one-by-one. The sheets are fed to a gravure printing machine, which applies stripes of striking compound material to predetermined areas of the sheets as they pass therethrough. A conveyor is provided for conveying the sheets from the sheet feeder to the gravure printing machine. After leaving the gravure printing machine the stripes of striking compound material are dried in a radio frequency drier. The sheets are then cut into matchbox blanks by cutting machines. The gravure printing machine has an upper engraving roller, a lower pressure roller, and means for feeding the sheets between the two rollers so that the stripes are printed on the upper surface of the sheets in register with the matchbox blanks.