A printing machine for printing on a printing substrate web includes a plurality of inline flexographic printing units which are disposed in a plane accessible to an operator of the machine. Each one of the two flexographic printing units of a respective duplex printing station includes a respective impression cylinder and a dryer disposed between the two impression cylinders along a path of web travel of the web of printing substrate. A method of operating the printing machine is also provided.

A printing machine for printing on a printing substrate web includes a plurality of inline flexographic printing units which are disposed in a plane accessible to an operator of the machine. Each one of the two flexographic printing units of a respective duplex printing station includes a respective impression cylinder and a dryer disposed between the two impression cylinders along a path of web travel of the web of printing substrate. A method of operating the printing machine is also provided.

A method for operating a printing machine for flexographic printing, wherein a web of printing stock is unwound, transported and thereby guided through at least two double printing units of the printing machine. Each of the double printing units has at least one impression cylinder and in each case two printing cylinders for flexographic printing. The impression cylinders are each driven in rotation by a separate motor and the printing cylinders are each driven in rotation by a separate motor. A computer of the printing machine calculates at least two virtual drive axes and the computer controls the motors in each case using one of the virtual drive axes. The method is particularly suitable for high-production and flexible processing in industrially operated, web-processing flexographic printing machines for packaging printing.

A method for operating a printing machine for flexographic printing, wherein a web of printing stock is unwound, transported and thereby guided through at least two double printing units of the printing machine. Each of the double printing units has at least one impression cylinder and in each case two printing cylinders for flexographic printing. The impression cylinders are each driven in rotation by a separate motor and the printing cylinders are each driven in rotation by a separate motor. A computer of the printing machine calculates at least two virtual drive axes and the computer controls the motors in each case using one of the virtual drive axes. The method is particularly suitable for high-production and flexible processing in industrially operated, web-processing flexographic printing machines for packaging printing.