the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for producing a packaging sleeve of polygonal cross - section , particularly adapted to be foldably collapsed , wherein circular or tubular sleeve stock is formed on a stationary spindle or mandrel from a plurality of glued , thin layers of paper , fabric , plastic material or the like , wound or wrapped one over the other . the sleeve is thereafter shaped into a polygonal cross - section . during the shaping of the tubular packaging sleeve while it is in the glue - wetted state , at least one continuous folding edge impressed into the sleeve wall and extending in the longitudinal direction of said sleeve is press - formed at the desired longitudinally extending edge corners of the polygonal cross - section . the sleeve , wrapped to a final wall thickness after the winding or wrapping operation , is subjected , in the form of individual , separated sections or lengths , to a shaping operation to form a polygonal cross - section at a separate rate of feed , simultaneously with the formation of the folding edges .