Abstract: A printing blanket holding bar adapted for insertion into a channel longitudinally extending along the periphery of a reel, the channel having a pair of flat, generally parallel side walls extending from the periphery of the reel, said holding bar comprising a base having a first flat surface and a second flat surface generally parallel therewith, each base surface adapted to be disposed against and cooperate with a corresponding channel side wall when said holding bar is operably inserted into the reel channel, a blanket clamping arm carried by said base and adapted to cooperate with said base to clamp an associated printing blanket end therebetween, a top surface of said clamping arm adapted to support the printing blanket when said holding bar is operably inserted into the reel channel and when the printing blanket is wrapped at least approximately one revolution around the reel, at least a substantial portion of said arm top surface being bowed, the tip of said arm tapering to substantially zero thickness