According to the present invention, a method and an apparatus therefor are provided that enable to automatically print a desired nail art picture on one's own fingernail surface. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: holding a nail surface (2) on a finger holder (9); selecting one or more nail art pictures from nail art pictures stored in a computer (4), as a printing pattern; moving either one or both of a
nozzle unit (1) and the finger holder (9) by controlling of the computer (4); and printing the selected printing pattern on the nail surface (2) by having ink jetted ink from the
nozzle unit (1) by controlling of the computer (4). The apparatus of the present invention comprises: a computer (4); a finger holder (9); a
nozzle unit (1) controlled by the computer (4); and moving device (3) for moving either one or both of the nozzle unit (1) and the finger holder (9) controlled by the computer (4). It may be arranged that the computer (4) has a display (22) and
data input device, such as a video
movie camera (28), connected thereto, to input and display printing patterns and printing masks for limiting the printing areas of the printing patterns, edit either one or both of printing patterns and printing masks on the screen (23) of the display (22), display printing patterns with printing masks put thereon, on the nail surface of a nail image, and select and store a printing pattern with a printing
mask(s) put thereon.