A method and an apparatus provide and transfer cassettes for printing plates to a device for removing printing plates from a cassette. The cassettes are stored in compartments disposed above one another in a magazine and are introduced into the magazine and removed through a loading opening. The cassettes are transferred to the device for removing printing plates through a transfer opening and are taken back from there. The cassettes are moved in a horizontal movement plane between the loading opening and the magazine and between the transfer opening and the magazine. The loading opening, the transfer opening and the movement plane are located at the same height. The magazine is raised and lowered vertically as desired. The cassettes are moved by a friction drive disposed in the movement plane. The activation of the friction drive releases a spring force brake, which blocks the cassettes.