Self-adjusting blanket washer mechanism for cylinders in variable cutoff printing presses

A blanket washing apparatus (30) for washing printing blankets (74-76) of various circumferences on a blanket cylinder (14) in a variable cutoff printing press is provided. The blanket washing apparatus (30) includes a washer head (32) and a movable bracket (34) coupled to an axial end of the washer head. The movable bracket (34) includes a slidable portion (42) to vary a position of the washer head (32) based on the circumference of the printing blanket (74-76) on the blanket cylinder (14). The blanket washing apparatus (30) also includes a guide plate (50) for guiding the movable bracket (34) to maintain a prescribed gap (G) between the washer head (32) and the printing blanket (74-76) on the blanket cylinder (14) as the slidable portion (42) of the movable bracket (34) slides. A variable cutoff printing press and a method of adjusting a position of a blanket washing apparatus during a cutoff change in a printing unit of a printing press are also provided.