Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for controlling drive units (26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39) in a printing machine, whereby during continuous production and in anticipation of a foreseeable disruption, one or more measuring values (m) suitable for characterising the disruption are determined. The measuring values are used to estimate the expected variations (&Dgr;x; &Dgr;y) caused by said disruptions in the variables influencing the printing process and said variables are preregulated or precontrolled directly before the start of the disruption or during the disruption.