Printing press including plate support member and plate loading module

A printing press comprising a plate cylinder and a plate support member on which printing plates each having leading edges are locatable in pre-determined positions, the plate support member being configured to engage the printing press to locate printing plates on the plate support member in a predetermined position relative to said plate cylinder and, a plate loading module for transferring printing plates located on said plate support member engaged with said printing press onto said plate cylinder during a plate loading cycle, the plate-loading module comprising a carriage attached to the printing press so that the carriage is movable into positions adjacent to the plate cylinder of the press onto which printing plates located on the plate support member are to be loaded when said plate support member is engaged with the printing press, a support arm attached to the carriage pivotable relative thereto between a plate loading position and a retracted position and, a plate loading head attached to the remote end of the support arm, the plate loading head being operable to engage printing plates located on the plate support member in engagement with the printing press when the support arm pivots towards its loading position so that the printing plates are held by the plate loading head while the plate support member is disengaged and withdrawn from the printing press and further pivotal movement of the support arm into its loading position, after the plate support member has been disengaged and withdrawn from the printing press, locates said leading edge of the printing plates in a predetermined position on the plate cylinder.