Abstract: A carrierless progressive die system and method for improving part quality and reducing cost. A strip of sheet material advances between a plurality of die stations along a continuous planar surface of a die lifter and stripper pad combination formed or assembled as a single piece. The width of the sheet material is substantially the same as the width of a finished part and its outer edge portions are maintained structurally rigid during operations at the various die operations by providing centrally positioned lances between die stations and holes at the distal ends of the lances which prevent propagation of the lances during stretching and forming of the sheet material.