Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing multi-color images onto a cylindrical body includes ink adhesion mechanisms that adhere different colors of ink to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. Ink drying mechanisms are included for drying the different colored inks adhered to the cylindrical body after the completion of the respective ink adhesion processes. Each of the ink adhesion mechanisms is arranged such that a mandrel, about which the cylindrical body is held, is moved in an arc along the outer periphery of a cylinder-shaped blanket which is disposed around the outer peripheral surface of an blanket cylinder. Ink is applied to the cylindrical body from the blanket at a position where the cylindrical body contacts the blanket. The blanket cylinder is rotated about an axis thereof in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the mandrel. The mandrel is rotated about an axis thereof so that a relative velocity of the cylindrical body and the blanket at the contact portion is zero.