Abstract: A printing roller carries a bearer ring comprised of a metallic body having an outer surface, and a hard, chemically inert, electrically insulating, and diamond-like layer on the outer surface. This ring is used with lubrication and is made by fitting a ring without a coating to a roller, machining it true on the roller, then removing it from the roller and coating its surface with a DLC layer, and finally reinstalling it on the printing roller.