FIELD: polygraphy. SUBSTANCE: method involves feeding back together with substrate to working position, where substrate having fragments to be printed positioned in sequence in feeding direction is provided with imprints, with imprints strictly corresponding one to another. Method uses substrate having at least two rows of fragments for printing positioned one adjacent to the other transverse to feeding direction and back having at least one related additional imprint extending in feeding direction between imprints for fragments for printing arranged in one row. Apparatus operates so that only predetermined imprints may be selectively transferred from back onto substrate at printing station. Upon passing printing station, back is separated from substrate and, depending on number of additional imprints between two imprints for fragments for printing, is returned at least once to working printing position. In this case back is moved laterally in transverse direction for distance equal to space between adjoining rows of fragments for printing and in feeding direction for distance approximately equal to space between imprints of the sequence of imprints. EFFECT: increased efficiency, simplified method and construction and enhanced reliability in operation. 30 cl, 6 dwg
