A transfer printing machine in which the articles to be transfer-printed are held in a holder made of a material which does not substantially expand when heated and the articles are heated by an infrared radiation heater to a predetermined temperature. A transfer sheet having symbols and/or designs formed thereon with thermo-diffusible dye is pressed by a pressing pad against the surface of the articles so that the symbols and/or designs are transfer-printed on the surfaces of the heated articles.
