A paper drying apparatus (1) to dry a paper web (4) carried on a fabric sheet (2) includes a first rotatable drum (14) to carry a paper web. A second rotatable drum (32) is positioned downstream of the first drum with respect to the paper web carried by the first and second rotatable drum. A third rotatable drum (14) is positioned downstream of the second rotatable drum to carry the paper web. A first air supply (16) directs air through the first rotatable drum in a first direction to dry a paper web carried on the first rotatable drum. A second air supply (34) supplies air through the second rotatable drum in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A third air supply (16) supplies air through the third rotatable drum in the first direction. The first direction is one of a direction from an inside of a respective drum toward an outside of the respective drum and from the outside of the respective drum toward the inside of the respective drum.