A transfer press provided with a transfer device, having transfer units provided with cross members (37) for which the length is shorter than the width of a tool. The transfer units (29 to 32) are arranged completely between the processing stations or stages, are mounted on the crown or head piece, and are not provided with elements extending beside the tools or between supports of adjacent processing or press stations. Thus, the full width spanned by the press supports can be used for the tools. In addition, tools can be used which are provided with guides, effective between the upper tool and the lower tool, particularly in the side region. The work pieces are handled solely by means of the openings, freed by the tools and pointing counter to the transporting device, wherein no element of the transfer device extends past the side limits of the tool. The cross members (37) are preferably not supported at the ends (38, 39) by their transfer units (29 to 32), but at the locations (57, 58) at a distance thereto, thus permitting a higher operating speed.