Abstract: A highly compact machine for applying an attractive protective coating to a paper web that passes through a printing press is located between the last press stand and the dryer of the printing press, and to enable the machine to receive the web, the printing press is provided with an apparatus for directing the web back to the print stands and the machine after the web passes through the dryer. The machine includes upper and lower blanket cylinders, a plate cylinder contacting the lower blanket cylinder, and an oscillating cylinder below the plate cylinder. In addition the coating machine includes a pan containing a coating fluid and a pan roller, the surface of which rotates through the fluid in the pan to lift it out of the pan. A metering roller revolves close to the pan roller to remove excess fluid from the pan roller which thereupon transfers the fluid to a form roller. That form roller runs against the oscillating cylinder and transfers the fluid to the oscillating cylinder.