Abstract: A printing machine having a closed cup ink supply system for printing cylindrical items. The printing machine includes a printing module which comprises a housing, a pair of pulleys rotatably supported by the housing and endless metal band disposed about the pulleys and having an etched printing image ink receiving area on an outer surface thereof, and an ink cup having an open bottom positioned on a flat section of said endless band. The printing module is mountable onto a drive shaft of the printing machine, which is operable for driving one of the pulleys of the module and moving the band past an underside of ink cup such that ink is supplied to the etched printing image ink receiving area for transfer to a transfer cylinder in contacting relation to the band at a location remote from the ink cup.