A machine (1) for working a ribbon-shaped element (T1, T2′, T2″) is described, comprising at least one cutting station (2) crossed by the ribbon-shaped element (T1, T2′, T2″), guiding means (3, 4) adapted to position and drag the ribbon-shaped element (T1, T2′, T2″) onto at least one fixed plane (PI) of the cutting station (2) keeping an edge of the ribbon-shaped element (T1, T2′, T2″) tangent to a fixed point (A1) of the fixed plane (Pi); at least one of the guiding means (3, 4) rests onto an arm (31) free of rotating with respect to a fixed axis (33); the fixed axis (33) is at the same distance with respect to the cutting station (2) and the at least one of the guiding means (3, 4).