A printing unit for a rotary printing press, and that is capable of accomplishing a flying printing change, uses a single counter-pressure cylinder and two printing cylinders and ink application rollers. The counter-pressure cylinder and the ink application rollers are shiftably supported with respect to the printing cylinders. They also carry eccentric support disks that engage concentric support disks or the printing cylinders. These disks are usable to adjust the contact force between the cylinders to compensate for printing plate wear.