Abstract: The invention relates to the movement of a web through a printing machine.The web is caused to move forward during each cycle, alternately at the printing speed during printing and at a take-up speed which is at most equal to the printing speed, the excess length arising from the difference between the printing speed and the take-up speed, in the case where the latter is less than the printing speed, being re-absorbed by pulling the web backwards without stopping the web. A typical device comprises, downstream of the printing cylinder 2, a first endless rotary member 9 for conveying the web at the printing speed, and a second endless rotary member 12 for conveying the web at the take-up speed.Application to paper in the form of webs of widely varying substances and quality.