Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device for the stack of paper, cardboard or similar sheet-form punching material on a punch press, with a centering pin yielding elastically at least in zones under the thrust of the punching material for engagement into centering holes of the punching material sheets. For the improvement of such a holding device, according to the invention the centering pin, preferably rigid in itself, with smooth or substantially smooth surface, is suspended both tilting and also movable thrusting in or parallel to the plane of the punching table perpendicularly and parallel to the stack edge.