A method for manufacturing a multilayer ceramic electronic element includes the steps of forming ceramic green sheets having superior surface smoothness and small variations in thickness at a high speed, in which defects such as pinholes are prevented from occurring, and providing internal electrodes and step-smoothing ceramic paste on the ceramic green sheets with high accuracy. The method includes the steps of applying ceramic slurry to a base film by a die coater followed by drying performed in a drying furnace for forming the ceramic green sheets, and performing gravure printing of conductive paste and ceramic paste onto the ceramic green sheets by using a first and a second gravure printing apparatus, respectively. Accordingly, the internal electrodes are formed, and the step-smoothing ceramic paste is provided in regions other than those in which the internal electrodes are formed.