Variable cutoff printing unit and method

A variable cutoff printing unit is provided that includes a plate cylinder (54,154), a plate cylinder support (14,14') removably supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder (56,156), a blanket cylinder support (16,16') removably supporting the blanket cylinder, a frame, the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support being coupled to the frame, a sliding element (32,32') coupled to the blanket cylinder support for moving the blanket cylinder support toward and away from the plate cylinder support, and a stopping device (90,90') for stopping movement of the sliding element to limit the movement of the blanket cylinder toward and away from the plate cylinder to a defined range. A method of operating a variable cutoff printing unit is also provided.