Abstract: In a forward movement, an article is conveyed to a printing device via a transfer position while being kept mounted in a first holder for printing by the printing device. The article is returned to the transfer position together with the first holder after printing. An article to be printed after the above article is mounted into a second holder in parallel with at least a part of the forward movement, the printing and a return movement. This is capable of printing on the articles in a short throughput time also when the articles are those having a three-dimensional shape such as bottles and in-vehicle components.

Abstract: In a forward movement, an article is conveyed to a printing device via a transfer position while being kept mounted in a first holder for printing by the printing device. The article is returned to the transfer position together with the first holder after printing. An article to be printed after the above article is mounted into a second holder in parallel with at least a part of the forward movement, the printing and a return movement. This is capable of printing on the articles in a short throughput time also when the articles are those having a three-dimensional shape such as bottles and in-vehicle components.

Abstract: A printing method according to the invention comprises forming a printing pattern of ink on a surface of an intermediate transfer member, transferring the printing pattern by causing the printing target surface to abut on the surface of the intermediate transfer member while supporting the printing target material by making a backup member abut on the printing target surface, increasing viscosity of the ink to predetermined viscosity by irradiating the printing pattern transferred to the printing target surface with first light, and curing the ink by irradiating the printing pattern with second light. The first light is applied to a region, out of the printing target surface, in a state that after departing from the intermediate transfer member and before abutting on the backup member. The second light is applied while the printing target material is separated from the intermediate transfer member.