A printing couple of a printing press, such as a rotary printing press, where the printing couple includes a form cylinder, a transfer cylinder, an impression cylinder, and an inking couple. Here, the inking couple can apply the printing ink to the form cylinder, that is, to the printing forms which are positioned on the form cylinder. The transfer cylinder, which carries at least one blanket or rubber sleeve positioned on it, transfers the printing ink to a substrate. The ink is transported through a printing gap formed between the transfer cylinder and the impression cylinder. The diameter of at least one cylinder, such the form cylinder, the transfer cylinder and the impression cylinder, is graduated in the axial direction.