A method for fixing a plate (4) to a plate cylinder of a printing machine by means of a plate changer comprises several steps: in a first step, register punches (28) which are introduced into the plate (4) are placed over first register pins (29) which are attached to a plate chute of the plate changer. In a second step, the plate (4) is fixed firmly via a holding device (17) which is fixed to a conveying slide block. In a third step, the conveying slide block together with the fixed plate (4) is moved away from the first register pins (29) in a first direction (31), and free spaces (33) between the register punches (28) and the first register pins (29) are produced.