A method and apparatus for conveying printed products in an imbricated formation with different spacings between the products, from a feed conveyor to the grippers on a removal conveyor. The printed products are introduced into the grippers in groups without any change in the spacing between successive printed products, and the conveying speeds of the feed conveyor and the removal conveyor are coordinated such that the portion of each group of products which projects into a gripper is less than the depth of the mouth of the gripper. Also, a deflection device at the transfer location serves to deflect the leading end of each group of products toward the approaching gripper. Alternatively, the grippers are controlled so that in the transfer location, a leading clamping part of the approaching gripper engages a trailing clamping part of the preceding gripper so as to guide the next group of products into the mouth of the approaching gripper.