Improved pliable print rollers for high speed drink can printing machines increase the pliable roller life five- to ten-fold at comparable ink thickness and machine speed. The improved performance results from the selection of materials utilized including a combination of elastomers, and in some case an essentially oil-free composition, and an associated manufacturing process not previously utilized to create pliable print rollers for high speed drink can printing machines. In particular a particular embodiment, the composition includes a combination of elastomers (e.g., 75% polyisoprene and 25% polybutadiene), a filler (e.g., silica), a curing agent (e.g., peroxided), and other additives (e.g., pigment, antioxidant, antiozonant) with little or no oil added as a softener. An illustrative composition including 150 parts by weight contains 100 parts elastomer, 35 parts filler, 4 parts curing agent, and 11 parts other additives (i.e., zero parts oil softener).