Abstract: In to a method and apparatus for positioning engraving elements in an electronic engraving machine for engraving printing cylinders for rotogravure, at least two engraving lanes of predetermined lane widths lying side-by-side in the axial direction of the printing cylinder are engraved in the form of cups with a respectively allocated engraving element. Before engraving, the axial spacings of the engraving elements from one another must be set to the required lane widths. In order to save time, a manual rough adjustment of the axial spacings of the engraving elements is implemented first. Axial reference position marks whose axial spacings from one another correspond to the lane widths are generated in an apparatus. The engraving elements comprise axial position marks. In the rough positioning, the engraving elements are manually displaced until the position marks are in coincidence with the respectively allocated reference position marks.