the invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing bottles or similar containers , having several printing positions on a transport element , which can be driven in rotation , by which the printing positions and / or the containers are moved on a closed path of movement between at least one container take - up and at least one container drop , having rotating print heads for applying at least one print image , preferably multi - color , onto a region to be printed on the external container surface of the containers , in the event of relative movement of the external container surface and at least one print head , wherein at least one enclosure is present , into which each of the containers , which are provided at a print position , is housed during the printing process with at least the region to be printed thereof .