Abstract: A die pad assembly is described including a pad holder of a relatively hard elastomeric material and a pad of a softer elastomeric material. The holder defines a recess extending longitudinally of the holder and end walls closing the ends of said recess. The recess is of a cross-sectional shape defining opposed downwardly convergent wall portions and conforming generally to the shape into which articles are to be formed using the assembly. The pad is snugly received in said recess in the holder between said end walls. The pad has an upper surface to support an article to be formed and a lower surface at least parts of which are in surface contact with the convergent wall portions of the recess in the holder. In use, an article to be formed is placed on the upper surface of the pad and is engaged by the male die. Movement of the die against the article causes the pad to be compressed between the leading extremity of the die and the wall of the recess in the holder to cause the article to bend about the die.