Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for separating first and second flat objects from a stack in which the flat objects are provided substantially in pairs and differ from one another in terms of weight per unit area and/or flexibility. The apparatus includes at least one suction element for attracting the objects by suction, a drive apparatus for moving the suction element, and a control apparatus for controlling the drive apparatus. The control apparatus drives the drive apparatus such that the suction element is moved to a first position, in which the first object that has a lower weight per unit area and/or a greater flexibility than the second object is attracted by the suction of the suction element. The first position is at a minimum distance from a stack surface.

Abstract: In order to separate printing plates and intermediate layers present in pairs, suckers having a delimiting device are known which, on the basis of the different flexibility of intermediate layers and printing plates, permit these to be separated from one another. For particularly thin intermediate layers, this configuration reaches its limits. Accordingly, by moving a suction element slowly downward at a speed V1 from a second position at a distance from the printing plate stack, accurate gripping of an intermediate layer by the suction element can be ensured. This is improved substantially further in particular as a result of the fact that the suction element is moved slowly toward the stack surface by the intermediate steps in a range from 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm.