Abstract: The present invention describes a method for manufacturing rotogravure cylinders with a cylinder base made of a light weight material like aluminum. The method involves the surface treatment of the cylinder with mechanical means, the copper plating in an appropriate solution, the engraving of the cylinder, and the hardening of the cylinder by chromium plating. The advantage of this method is that the chemical treatment for the preparation of the cylinder surface which generates hazardous waste is replaced by a mechanical process. In addition, the reduction of the cylinder weight considerably (e.g. for aluminum base cylinder the weight reduction is two thirds of the weight of a steel base cylinder) reduces significantly the transportation costs. Moreover, the adhesion of the copper layer to be engraved is improved and the cost and time of manufacturing reduced.