PURPOSE: To provide a device for selective treatment of a running web of preferably paper or carton by coating, coloring and sizing or to provide a device for omission of treatment for the running web.

CONSTITUTION: A device for treating running webs has between two neighboring drying cylinders 46 and 49 of post-drying group an intermediate space having a length equal to at least twice the diameter of the cylinders. In case a web is not treated by coating devices 3 and 3' disposed in the intermediate space of a path of the web, the device for treating the running webs has at least one deflecting roll disposed for serving as an intermediary in the intermediate space. The device further has a distinct deflecting roll 19 in order to feed the web upwardly into the coating devices 3 and 3' and is characterized in that the coating devices are substantially disposed above the intermediate space between the neighboring drying cylinders 46 and 49.