A method for decorating the cylindrical walls of receptacles, comprising the following steps: a) moveable mandrels are arranged in a loop and are displaced, keeping their axes parallel to a direction D; b) each receptacle is engaged by the cylindrical wall thereof on the mandrel; c) the mandrel is brought into the vicinity of a marking cylinder which turns about a fixed axis parallel to direction D; d) the mandrel is rotated at a speed which is correlated with that of the marking cylinder; e) a transfer film support strip is displaced between the marking cylinder and the mandrel; f) the marking cylinder and mandrel are placed in contact with each other such that the marked area of the transfer film adheres to the cylindrical wall; g) the support strip is removed from the cylindrical wall of the receptacle. The inventive method is adapted to the manufacture of flexible tubes and can be easily implemented on existing devices such as capping machines.