The method and appliance for ensuring safety in printers during the automatic or semi-automatic changeover of printing plate (5) consists of the line (14) of drive wheels belonging to the inker unit (9) being connected to the cog wheel (13) of the printing cylinder. (1). While the printing cylinder is being changed, the inker unit is brought to a standstill by a coupling positioned between a first wheel engaging with the cog wheel of the printing cylinder and a second wheel engaging with the drive wheels of the inker unit
