Method for automatically exchanging a printing plate as well as corresponding rotary press

A method for automatically exchanging a printing plate ( 500 ) in a print unit of a rotary press having a blanket cylinder ( 250 ) and a plate cylinder ( 260 ) carrying the printing plate includes disengaging the plate cylinder from the blanket cylinder; reducing the speed of the plate cylinder (v_P) to a rendezvous speed (v_R) which is greater than 0; automatically clamping the printing plate onto the plate cylinder at the rendezvous speed (v_R); and increasing the speed of the plate cylinder (v_P) to a printing speed (v_DG).