Abstract: A method for cutting coating blanket material for use in a printing press includes providing a cutting apparatus having a frame and a cutting surface extending across the frame. A support is mounted to the frame adjacent and approximately parallel to the cutting surface and carries a cutter head mounted thereon for motion back and forth across the support. A drag-type knife is coupled to the cutter head and is movable between a working position wherein the knife penetrates a first layer of flexible material defined by the coating blanket material, and a non-working position wherein the knife is located above the coating blanket material. During operation, the coating blanket moves back and forth through the cutting apparatus while the knife simultaneously places lines of cut in the coating blanket material in accordance with commands issued from a controller having coating blanket cutting data stored therein.