In a working method using a device for operating presses including a ram and a die, such as forming presses or cutting presses, for example multiple-die presses for large workpieces, transfer presses, multi-ram transfer presses, such forming presses or cutting presses also being arranged in press lines, smaller ram strokes result in optimized freedom of motion of the press, in place of the existing large freedom of motion, the acceleration and speed of the ram are at most maintained, or reduced, while parts output is increased, and smaller paths are made possible due to dynamic ram stroke and transfer movements. To this end, the work process of the ram stroke of presses is controlled according to a curve that follows the function f(x)=a(0)/2+a(1)*cos(1*x) +...+.