To provide a press-working method capable of reducing the cost, enhancing the yield and improving the working accuracy of a formed product by using a flat workpiece and eliminating a step and a die for forming a pilot hole.

The press-working method comprises a slit working step S1 of working a slit S in a plate 11 to be worked at the spacing of a CVT element E, a thickness reduced section working step S2 of working a thickness reduced section 11b on the plate 11 by pressing a part of the plate 11 and releasing any excessive material to the slit S, and a punching step S3 of punching the CVT element E from the plate 11. In the slit working step S1, the slit S having an inner end located outside the range of the thickness reduction section 11b is formed. In the punching step S3, the inner end located outside the range of the thickness reduction section 11b of the slit S is used for a pilot hole h for positioning the plate 11.