A method that prints a functional element on a surface of a receiving area of a timepiece component of a timepiece contributing to regulating the rate of this timepiece includes preparing a solution containing a material constituting the functional element and depositing the prepared solution onto the surface of the receiving area. Specific properties of the solution are defined as a function of preparation criteria and include at least one structural modification feature of the timepiece component, at least one construction feature of the functional element on the receiving area, at least one structural feature of the material to be applied to the receiving area, and at least one feature of the receiving area of the component.