PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress cracking or wrinkling of the catalyst layer in a membrane electrode assembly due to swelling of an electrolyte membrane in the membrane electrode assembly, when producing the membrane electrode assembly of a solid polymer fuel cell.SOLUTION: When forming a catalyst layer in a membrane electrode assembly on an electrolyte membrane 1 by repeating a step for applying a catalyst ink onto an electrolyte membrane 1, and a step for thermally drying the catalyst ink applied onto the electrolyte membrane 1 a plurality of times, a catalyst ink having a swelling ratio of 30% or less in the coating surface direction of each solvent with respect to the electrolyte membrane 1 is used as a catalyst ink 2 being applied onto the electrolyte membrane 1 for the first time. After applying the catalyst ink onto the electrolyte membrane 1, the catalyst ink thus applied is thermally dried thus forming the catalyst layer on the electrolyte membrane 1.
