In a paper feeding apparatus, paper feed rolls in paper feed roll rows for feeding the lowermost one of cardboard sheets placed in a stacked manner on a paper feeding table intermittently one by one toward the printing device are coupled via shafts to separate servomotors. The servomotors are controlled so to be accelerated synchronously and rapidly from a stopped state to a high rotational speed during one cycle of feeding through contact with the lowermost cardboard sheet, while controlled so to be decelerated from the high rotational speed to be stopped rapidly and respectively when determined not to be in contact with the lowermost cardboard sheet.