Several ink applicator processes are used to apply different colour inks to the outside circumferential faces of the cylinder bodies and several drying processes dry the ink at the end of each application. Each ink application process is carried out so that spikes which hold the cylinder bodies are moved in an arc along the outer circumferential faces of rubber blanks which are fitted on the outer faces of the rubber cylinders and on which the inks are applied in the state when the outer faces of the cylinder bodies are caused to contact the outer faces of the rubber blankets. This is at the time when the rubber cylinders are turned about their axes opposite the direction of movement of the spikes and the spikes are turned about their axes so that the relative speed of the sections where the cylinder bodies contact the rubber blanks is brought to zero.
