A method for setting optimal pre-inking before the start of printing in an inking unit in a press having at least one printing unit. The settings for the pre-inking are determined by an electronic control device belonging to the press. At least one standard characteristic curve for controlling the pre-inking before the start of printing is stored in the electronic control device of the press for at least one combination of parameters of a print job. On the basis of this stored standard characteristic curve, a current characteristic curve is calculated as a function of the job data of a current print job. Finally, the the pre-inking before the start of printing the current print job is controlled by using this current characteristic curve.