Abstract: A forming method of forming a plate-shaped workpiece using a female tool having a concave section of a desired shape and a male tool which matches with the female tool, includes the following steps: providing an elastic punch in a cylindrical holder provided in the male tool; pressurizing and compressing the elastic punch relatively by a pressuring member; pressing the holder against the workpiece by means of one portion of the elastic punch; and projecting one portion of the elastic punch from the holder so as to deform a portion of the workpiece to be processed according to the shape of the concave section of the female tool so that the workpiece is formed in a state such that the workpiece is nipped pressingly between the female tool and the holder.