Abstract: An improved press produces oval blanks arranged in a "nested" pattern from a web of material. The press includes a cutting die plate having a plurality of oval-shaped discharge apertures, an inclined die shoe underneath the cutting die plate, and a punch for piercing a web supported on the cutting die plate to form blanks and then deposit the blanks into the inclined die shoe via the discharge apertures. Partitions divide the inclined die shoe into a plurality of blank transfer lanes. Each transfer lane connects one of the discharge apertures to a companion exit region. Guide rails are provided to guide blanks deposited into the transfer lanes toward the exit regions as the blanks fall under gravity through the inclined die shoe.