A device for the coupling and uncoupling of a printing unit, said printing unit, with its plate cylinder, being engaged with a blanket cylinder in a first position and being disengaged from said blanket cylinder in a second position. Further, the device can be configured so as to additionally serve for a printing press, having at least two printing units assigned to one blanket cylinder, to be variably operated with optimal results. This is achieved in that the printing unit can be brought into a third position, wherein it is disconnected from the drive. Also contemplated herein is a method for coupling printing stands to one another in a printing press.