A pad printing machine comprising at least one printing unit which can be moved into a print-image pickup position and into a print-image transfer position and which is designed to carry out printing procedures in automated manner and for that purpose is fitted with a first printing pad support involving a first pad support system or first pad seat for a first printing pad and a printing plate carrier to receive respectively keep in place a printing plate, said printing unit also comprising a second pad support fitted with a second support system or second pad seat for a second printing pad, the two pad supports being configured in a manner that the first support system of the first pad support and the second seat or second support system of the first pad support and the second pickup or second support system of the second pad support face each other at least when in the print-image transfer position.