[Object] To provide a coating apparatus that can prevent distortion of the shape of a coating area on a sheet member.[Solution Means] A coating apparatus 50 includes a suction roller peripheral wall 114a (base plate 70) on which a flexible electrolyte membrane 21 shaped like a thin film (sheet member 60) is placed, drawing unit 80 that draws the electrolyte membrane on the suction roller peripheral wall, and a coating mechanism 90 that applies catalyst ink 91 (material) onto the electrolyte membrane drawn on the suction roller peripheral wall by the drawing unit.The electrolyte membrane has, in a range from a center portion to a portion on an inner side of an outer peripheral edge 61, a coating area 62 where the catalyst ink is applied. The drawing unit draws the electrolyte membrane on the suction roller peripheral wall in the coating area where the catalyst ink is applied, and also draws the electrolyte membrane on the suction roller peripheral wall 114a in a range 63 extending outward beyond the coating area.