A printing method wherein when pressing a printing blanket made from an elastic material which becomes thinner towards the tip thereof, is pressed against an original plate for printing, to which ink has been applied, the descending speed is set to a minimum when the tip of the printing blanket comes into contact with the original plate for printing, and as the pressing progresses, the descending speed is increased. Similarly, when the printing blanket is pressed against the surface to be printed, the descending speed is set to a minimum when the tip of the printing bracket comes into contact with the surface to be printed and as the pressing progresses, the descending speed is increased.