The invention relates to a device and method for cleaning the surface of a printing roll, such as an anilox roll. The device includes a laser-equipped assembly adapted to project a laser beam on the surface of the printing roll. The laser-equipped assembly uses a reflector and a lens to guide the laser beam along a predetermined path on the surface of the printing roll. In some embodiments, an autofocus system may be included to move the lens so that the desired focal point for the laser beam on the printing roll surface is achieved.