The work aims to improve the overprint precision of gravure printing machines and the simplicity and scalability of control system. An automatic register control system was designed based on DSP. The basic principle of automatic register was introduced in detail and the error detection and correction methods were discussed. The control system was built with DSP chip TMS320F2812 as the core and the design methods of hardware and software were given. Meanwhile, the PC monitoring system was also designed with uC/O-II. The related tests were respectively carried out in the laboratory and industrial field. The overprint precision of the above-mentioned control system could reach 0.1 mm and it had good real-time performance. The control system has such advantages as high overprint precision, fast response speed and scalability. It can meet the technological requirements.