A metal coil printing mechanism for providing alignment between two patterns to be printed on a surface of the coil includes a blanket cylinder for applying a pattern to the metal coil and first and second plate cylinders which apply first and second patterns to the blanket cylinder. The first plate cylinder is geared directly to the blanket cylinder for rotation therewith. The second plate cylinder is geared for rotation with the blanket cylinder through a phase shifting device. The phase shifting device can be adjusted such that the circumferential position of the second pattern relative to the first pattern is adjusted such that desired alignment of the two patterns can be obtained. A metal coil press registration system for metal coil press machines having press devices which operate to repetitively punch or shear a metal coil includes an optical scanner for detecting spaced registration marks on the metal coil, at least one sensing device for monitoring the up and down position of the press device, and an encoder for monitoring metal coil infeed. A processing device, such as a computer, makes measurements of coil feed in so that appropriate alignment of the metal coil with the press device centerline can be maintained.