A method for operating a printing machine having a positioning device with a cylinder that is adjustable into different positions along an adjustment path and cooperating with a cylinder for guiding printing material, which includes performing at least two of the following method steps of adjusting the rotational angle of the cylinder guiding the printing material into a given position; adjusting the rotational angle of the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path into a given position; adjusting the circumferential register of the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path; and adjusting the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path, from a first cylinder position into a second cylinder position along the adjustment path.