SHEET-FED PRINTING PRESS FOR SIMULTANEOUS RECTO-VERSO PRINTING OF SHEETS, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SECURITY DOCUMENTS

There is described a sheet-fed printing press (1000; 1000*) comprising at least two printing units (200; 200.1, 200.2; 200.1 *, 200.2*) located one after the other, each printing unit (200; 200.1, 200.2; 200.1 *, 200.2*) being adapted to carry out simultaneous recto- verso printing of the sheets (S) and including two printing cylinders (105, 106) cooperating with one another and forming a printing nip, the two printing cylinders (105, 106) each collecting ink patterns from at least two associated plate cylinders (15A, 15B, 16A, 16B) wherein the two printing cylinders (105, 106) are located one above the other such that the sheets (S) travel laterally through each printing unit (200; 200.1, 200.2; 200.1 *, 200.2*) from a first lateral side (201 a; 201 a*) located upstream of the printing nip to a second lateral side (201 b; 201 b*) located downstream of the printing nip, wherein a number of at least two sheet transfer elements (110, 120, 95) is provided downstream of the printing nip of a first one (200.1; 200.1 *) and upstream of the printing nip of a second one (200.2; 200.2*) of the at least two printing units (200.1, 200.2; 200.1 *, 200.2*) to transfer the sheets (S).