Abstract: A printing assembly comprises a counter-pressure cylinder (11) and an inking unit (17). The counter-pressure cylinder (11) or the inking unit (17) and/or the substrate (10) are divided axially into a plurality of thermal zones (Z1, Z2 . . . Zn) that may be independently heated or cooled so as to change the viscosity of the ink in this zone. Thereby, the amount of ink may be thermally influenced over the width of printing. The control of the ink amount may be effected in the axial direction during the printing operation without any changes in the mechanism of the machine.