Abstract: A cylinder for an offset printing press comprising a steel core and a heat-conducting layer arranged on the steel core in order to uniformly distribute localized steel core heating. The heat can consist of copper and can be arranged in or underneath a functional layer on the cylinder.

Abstract: To prevent engagement of a thermo printing head (23), with a thermo transfer tape (22) directly against a plate cylinder having an unyielding surface, an auxiliary transfer element in ribbon, tape or belt form (24, 24', 35) is provided, which is engaged against the thermo tape, ribbon or belt (22) by a counter roller (25) of yielding material or have a yielding surface; thermally affectable material is transferred from the thermo transfer tape in accordance with image information to be printed on the auxiliary tape (24, 24') for transfer to the plate cylinder or material which is not to print is transferred on the auxiliary tape, and the remainder of the material is transferred from the thermo transfer tape on the tape cylinder (10).