Abstract: A method and apparatus of in-line die-cutting in saddle signature gathering wherein signature sets are gathered on a gathering chain to form signature sets. The signature set is grasped by a pair of belts which lift the signature off the gathering line so that a portion of the signature set along the spine thereof may be removed by a die-cutting pair of plates located above the gathering line. The signature sets may be stopped as lifting and cutting occurs. After lifting and cutting the signature set is replaced on the gathering line for further processing.