A drying station for drying printed sheets transported by a transport belt includes an irradiation device for irradiating the printed sheets, a deflection section located in vicinity of the irradiation device for guiding the transport belt away from the irradiation device, and a shielding device disposed between the transport belt and the irradiation device for shielding the transport belt against radiation from the irradiation device while the sheets are exposed to the radiation. A printing machine including the drying station and a method for drying printed sheets are also provided.