Abstract: A device is provided for the rapid clamping of flexible printing plates on the printing cylinder of rotary printing presses which includes a support bar mounted within and adjacent to the front side of a cylinder groove to which the forward end of plate is clamped by means of clamping springs and a clamping arm disposed opposite of the support bar, which is pivotably mounted within and adjacent to the rear side of the groove and has a plate attachment arm to which the rear end of the plate is clamped. The clamping arm is actuated by means of pressure springs in the clamping direction and in the counter direction by adjustment means so that the plate ends may be clamped independently from one another as well as independently of the plate thickness so as to prevent damage to the plates during the clamping operation and an easy servicing.