Abstract: The ink is dropped onto a flat plate, and then supplied to a printing area by a doctor blade. An impression pressure cylinder around which a material to be printed is wound is then rolled against the plate under a predetermined printing pressure, or the plate is moved to the impression cylinder and rotated freely in a predetermined position by the frictional resistance thereof with respect to the plate. Thus, the ink on the printing area is transferred to the material to be printed to carry out printing. The rolling of impression cylinder or moving of the plate is performed by a pneumatic cylinder. The printing speed, the interruption of the movements of the impression cylinder or plate, and the returning of the impression cylinder or plate to its original position after the completion of the printing operation are controlled by regulating the pressure supplied to the air cylinder.