To provide a method for producing a printing block, especially a flexographic block, which can produce a fine relief structure to be emphasized in succeeding printing by a method for obtaining a printing image without a defect and an apparatus for the method.

In the printing block, a relief is formed on the surface of a printing block blank (1), and the material of the blank (1) is removed in turn along a track by irradiation. In this way, recessed parts (V) between which a plateau is to be positioned are formed. The surface of the blank (1) positioned between the recessed parts (V) is also removed in turn by irradiation, obtaining a low layer plateau (P2).