Abstract: The present disclosure describes a printing machine for direct printing on containers, comprising: a continuously rotatable carousel for conveying the containers, a plurality of printing units, and stationary docking stations for docking the printing units to the periphery of the carousel. Due to the fact that the printing machine comprises rail guides stationarily associated with the docking stations and used for separately moving the printing units from a docked-on operating position outwards to a maintenance position spaced apart from the carousel, and back again, the printing units can easily be made accessible from several sides for maintenance and they can be locked quickly and reproducibly at their operating position.