A method for opening and erecting folded box blanks provides that one side of the blank is grasped and bent outwardly to acquire convex curvature, thereby causing opposite sides of the blank to move away from it, leaving a gap which initiates the opening process. An apparatus for practicing the method provides two suction cups to perform the bending and a stop to apply a force against a bent edge of the blank to cause the erection of the blank to assume its final form.