Abstract: A method and apparatus for imprinting high quality images on non-planar surfaces, including the surfaces of various types of three-dimensional articles, such as baseball bats, formed from a number of different types of materials. In the preferred method of the invention, the non-planar surfaces of the three-dimensional articles are printed using a uniquely modified ink jet image transfer technique. The apparatus of the invention includes a modified ink jet plotter coupled with a novel article positioning apparatus which functions to automatically maintain the surface of the article to be printed within a plan substantially parallel to and slightly spaced apart from the place within which the ink jet nozzles of the ink jet plotter reside.