Method and apparatus for forming outer electrode of electronic component

A method for forming an outer electrode capable of reducing a tact time when electrode paste is applied to end surfaces of electronic components a plurality of times. A paste tank having a squeegee blade that is vertically slidable is disposed on a flat board having an area being a plurality of times as large as that of a holding plate in a longitudinal direction of the flat board. A paste film is spread on the flat board by moving the flat board by a length corresponding to the length of one holding plate while a predetermined gap is maintained between the squeegee blade and the flat board. The electrode paste is applied to first end surfaces of electronic components C held by the holding plate H by dipping the first end surfaces of the electronic components C in this paste film. The electrode paste is applied to the first end surfaces of the electronic components a plurality of times by repeating the spreading step and the applying step.