a rotary die cutting apparatus and method for removing scrap material from work pieces such as plastic or paperboard blanks . one of the dies of a pair of rotary cutting dies is provided with gripper elements that extend over at least a portion of the area of the die corresponding to the areas over which the scrap portions are generated . the gripper elements pierce , partially or completely , the scrap portions generated by the cutting operation of the dies . a stripping knife extends across the die carrying the scrap portions at a height above the gripper elements that provides clearance between the gripper elements and the stripping knife but contacts the scrap portions retained on the gripper elements .