A variable format offset printing machine having a central impression cylinder, comprising said central impression cylinder on which a web printable substrate is supported and a plurality of printing stations arranged around the central impression cylinder, the central impression cylinder having a web inlet side and a web outlet side, each of said printing stations comprising a blanket cylinder of variable diameter, a plate cylinder of variable diameter, and an offset inking unit, said blanket cylinder, plate cylinder and offset inking unit being movable between respective withdrawn positions and respective multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders, wherein:
- the offset inking units of all the printing stations which are located at one and the same web inlet or web outlet side of the central impression cylinder are mounted on at least one auxiliary frame in which the offset inking units are superposed on one another and staggered so as to follow the circumference of the central impression cylinder, said auxiliary frame being connected by horizontal linear guidance means to a main frame which rotatingly supports the central impression cylinder, the auxiliary frame being movable in a linear horizontal direction between its withdrawn position and its working position;
- and
- a space accessible for an operator is provided between the auxiliary frame and all the blanket cylinders and plate cylinders located at the same web inlet or web outlet side of the main frame when the auxiliary frame is in its withdrawn position.