Abstract: A press die for piercing operation comprises an upper die movable toward and away from a lower die. When the upper die is moved toward the lower die, a pad interposed between the two dies is forced against the lower die to hold a workpiece sheet against the lower die. The pad has a hole in which a tubular elastic member is fitted. The elastic member has a hole for passing a punch having a projecting tip. The lower die has a hollow bore which is in confrontation with the projecting tip. When the upper die is moved toward the lower die on which the workpiece is laid, the pad holds the workpiece and the upper die drives the punch so that the projecting tip of the punch pierces the workpiece by being driven into the hollow bore. The elastic member is deformable and allows the punch to shift laterally so that the projecting tip and the hollow bore are in accurate coaxial alignment.