A printing machine comprises a printing module (28) having a flexographic printing mode and a gravure printing mode, wherein the printing module comprises at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) defining the printing mode of the printing module, and a printing tool handling unit being configured for withdrawing and inserting the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) from and into the printing module, respectively. The printing tool handling unit comprises a coupling interface and the at least two printing cylinders each comprise a complementary coupling interface such that the printing tool handling unit can at least temporarily be coupled to one or more of the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) via the respective coupling interfaces.

A printing machine comprises a printing module (28) having a flexographic printing mode and a gravure printing mode, wherein the printing module comprises at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) defining the printing mode of the printing module, and a printing tool handling unit being configured for withdrawing and inserting the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) from and into the printing module, respectively. The printing tool handling unit comprises a coupling interface and the at least two printing cylinders each comprise a complementary coupling interface such that the printing tool handling unit can at least temporarily be coupled to one or more of the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) via the respective coupling interfaces.

A printing apparatus includes a printing unit configured to perform printing onto a medium, a supporting unit configured to support the medium to be printed by the printing unit, a pressing unit configured to be attachable and detachable with respect to the supporting unit and to be attached to the supporting unit to press the medium supported by the supporting unit, and a retainer configured to retain the pressing unit that is removed from the supporting unit. The retainer has a first portion on which the pressing unit is placed, and a second portion positioned closer to a leading end of the retainer than the first portion and above the first portion in a vertical direction.

A printing apparatus includes a printing unit configured to perform printing onto a medium, a supporting unit configured to support the medium to be printed by the printing unit, a pressing unit configured to be attachable and detachable with respect to the supporting unit and to be attached to the supporting unit to press the medium supported by the supporting unit, and a retainer configured to retain the pressing unit that is removed from the supporting unit. The retainer has a first portion on which the pressing unit is placed, and a second portion positioned closer to a leading end of the retainer than the first portion and above the first portion in a vertical direction.

Apparatus for decorating a can body. The apparatus comprises a can body conveying mechanism (1) for conveying can bodies (2) to a printing zone (3), a blanket wheel (4) comprising a plurality of blanket segments (6) and, affixed to each blanket segment, a blanket (7) having a printing surface, the blanket wheel being configured to bring blanket printing surfaces into contact with can bodies within said printing zone, and a plurality of ink stations (5) each comprising a printing plate (31) configured to contact the printing surfaces of passing blankets in order to impart an ink image to the printing surfaces, such that a composite ink image is formed on each blanket printing surface and is printed onto a can body upon contact of the blanket printing surface and the can body within the printing zone. The apparatus is configured such that at least one of the blankets has a surface height variation across its printing surface representing a secondary image to be transferred to can bodies with which the blanket comes into contact. A drive mechanism (32) is provided for causing the printing plates to rotate and a drive mechanism controller for varying the rotational speed of the printing plates to synchronize the positions of the printing plates with blankets onto which ink images are to be transferred.

A printing module of the flexo printing type, is provided with an anilox roller and an impression roller which are set up between two frame parts. Further, the printing module comprises a plate cylinder assembly which is receivable in a plate cylinder holder assembly. The plate cylinder holder assembly is provided with a plate-shaped body part with a supporting ring support surface with a special curve which is symmetrical with respect to a curve plane. Further, each plate cylinder holder assembly comprises a body part support assembly via which the body part is connected with the associated frame part, wherein the body part support assembly is configured for pivoting the body part about a first imaginary pivoting axis and for pivoting the body part about a second imaginary pivoting axis, such as to allow a substantially independent distance setting between the plate cylinder and the anilox roller on one side and between the plate cylinder and the impression roller on the other side.