A thin film forming apparatus comprises a printing device including an intaglio roll (A) having a number of ink cells, ink supply means (B) provided with a doctor blade (B2) and adapted for filling the ink cells with ink, a printing roll (C) having its plate cylinder surface wound by an elastic form plate (7), to which ink is transferred from the intaglio roll, and a printing table (D) for fixing thereto a printing article (D2), to which ink is transferred from the printing roll. The apparatus further comprises an articulated robot (6), and printing preparatory work carrying-out means mounted to an arm (60) of the articulated robot for carrying out at least one of actions of mounting the elastic form plate to or dismounting the same from the printing roll, wiping or drying the ink on the plate cylinder surface of the intaglio roll, and wiping or drying the ink on the doctor blade.