Blankets or packings to be supplied to a cylinder of a printing machine, and having a certain length, are stored in a storage device. A holding element, in a first operating state, holds the blanket in a first storage position. The holding element and the blanket are separated when the holding element moves into a second operating state. When the holding element is detached, the blanket moves into a second storage position that is vertically spaced, along the length of the blanket, from the first storage position. Two holding devices can be used to hold the blanket on two of its opposed sides. When at least one of the holding elements moves into the second operating state, the distance between the two holding elements is at least temporarily enlarged above the dimension of the blanket held by the holding elements.