Abstract: In a conventional sheet-fed printing machine having a central drive, the dynamic positional deviation with respect to a setpoint value continually increases from printing unit to printing unit due to the elasticity (a vibratory multi-mass system). Thus, the precision is dependent on the number of printing units. A mechanical interconnection of the individual cylinders of the sheet-fed printing machine is partially removed and replaced by individual drives is, therefore, provided. In the multiple motor open-loop drive control described, the fault does not increase because in each printing unit, the torque is supplied separately, and all drives are closed-loop controlled using the same reference variable.