Abstract: A printing plate cylinder having permanent magnets disposed therein includes an elongate member made of a highly permeable magnetic material and having a cylindrical configuration. The elongate member includes opposite axial end portions and a central portion connecting the opposite axial end portions. The elongate member is supported for rotation about its longitudinal central axis by the opposite axial end portions. The longitudinal central axis of the elongate member is parallel to and eccentric to the longitudinal central axis of the elongate member. When the elongate member is in a first position, the central portion of the elongate member is spaced away from a magnetic printing plate secured to the printing plate cylinder. In the first position of the elongate member, a magnetic field is established through the magnetic printing plate. When the elongate member is in a second position, the central portion of the elongate member is adjacent the magnetic printing plate.