Abstract: In the context of a device for the production of printing plates comprising a printing down station with a plate table and an associated illuminating means, which station has associated with it a foil receiving means formed preferably by a foil cassette for unprinted foil and preferably a receiving cassette for printed foil, in the case of which the foil to be printed onto an unexposed or blank printing plate is able to be taken from a foil receiving means by means of a moving vacuum frame, is able to be moved onto the blank plate on the plate table and after exposure is able to be discharged, preferably into a receiving cassette, a high rate of plate production and a smooth manner of operation without damaging the foils may be ensured if the foil conveying device has a plurality of vacuum frames moving in circuits which are out of phase with each other.