Abstract: Disclosed is an improved extrusion apparatus which prevents the distortion of peripheral cells in extruded honeycomb structures. The apparatus includes a die having an outward surface which is beveled to have a primary face and a surrounding face converging in the extrusion direction. An extrusion mask is provided having a central orifice and an entrance face also converging at the same angle in the extrusion direction. The use of an extrusion mask having an entrance face converging at the same angle as the beveled surface of the die body has been found to reduce peripheral cell crushing. Moreover, also disclosed are spacers situated between the die body and the mask which control the thickness of the gap between the die body and mask thus allowing for the provision of extruded honeycomb structures having skins of varying thickness.