in each printing stand i a volume difference indicator u03b4v yni is calculated which is equal to the difference between the products of the ink zone settings s yni and the ink strip lengths bi of the previous and subsequent jobs the volume difference indicator u03b4v yni calculated is thus inherently indicative of the actual volume change u03b4v ayni required in each ink zone a u03b4v yni greater than zero indicates that ink must be removed from the inking mechanism for a particular ink zone and a u03b4v yni less than zero indicates that ink must be added similarly a u03b4v yni of zero indicates that no ink volume change is necessary for a particular ink zone all ink zone volume difference indicators u03b4v yni are checked for greater than and less than zero conditions if all ink zone volume difference indicators are substantially zero then adjustment of the ink profile becomes unnecessary if at least one of the ink zone volume difference indicators is greater than zero indicating the required removal of ink from that ink zone then the ink strip length is set to the maximum value bmax of the printing stand if no ink zone volume difference indicators are greater than zero but at least one is less than zero indicating only the addition of ink in at least one ink zone then the ink strip length is set to a value biset derived as discussed below referring now to fig6 b for each ink zone yni appropriate parameters are determined depending upon whether there is to be an addition to a reduction from or no change in the ink volume if there is to be an ink volume reduction the appropriate transition ink zone setting si is determined using an empirically.