In a method for controlling the inking in at least one inking unit of an offset press, namely for controlling the zonal inking that can be adjusted by inking zone actuating elements of the respective inking unit, measurement regions are measured for this purpose and actual values determined in the process are compared with predefined intended values in order to generate actuating signals for the inking zone actuating elements on the basis of the comparison between the actual values and the intended values. Control deviations between the measured actual values and the predefined intended values are modified on the basis of a model of the respective inking unit and/or on the basis of data from the subject.