Abstract: In a method for engraving printing cylinders for rotogravure in an electronic engraving machine, at least two engraving lanes with predetermined lane widths lying side-by-side in an axial direction of the printing cylinder are engraved with a respectively allocated engraving element. Before the engraving, an axial reference position is predetermined for each engraving element, the axial spacings thereof relative to one another corresponding to the predetermined lane widths of the engraving lanes. The engraving elements are roughly positioned to their reference positions. Subsequently, the axial spacing errors between the reference positions and the actual position of the engraving element the rough positions are measured. During engraving, the engraving elements are moved along the printing cylinder with the faulty spacings relative to one another caused by their rough positioning.