Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transporting printing plates in a processing unit, in which the printing plates are brought from a starting position into a final position on a processing table. The device comprises a pneumatically operated cylinder 2 located above the plane in which the printing plate 8 rests in its starting position on the processing table 1, and at least one pusher-element 7 attached to the actuating rod 5 of cylinder 2, the rod being capable of extension and retraction in the longitudinal direction of the unit. The pusher-element transports the printing plate from the starting position into the final position. In addition, a device 9-11 is provided for raising the pusher-element 7 from a level below the transport plane of the printing plate 8 to a level above the transport plane of the printing plate 8, and for lowering the element in the opposite sense, and a switch S.sub.