Method for repositioning and recombining separated portions (300, 300', 300") of a web material machine-directionally offset, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing e. a web material exhibiting lateral side margins (104, 106); f. a separation unit for forming at least partially separated portions (300, 300', 300") in predetermined regions of said web material; g. a transfer unit for transferring said at least partially separated portions (300, 300', 300") of said web material; h. a web guide unit for said web material; e. a combination unit; 2) feeding said web material along a first web path to said separation unit; 3) applying an essentially continuous separation line, thereby creating a series of at least partially separated portions in predetermined regions of said web material in said separation unit, such that said web material remains essentially continuous along its side margins (104, 106), whilst the at least partially separated portions of said web material are circumscribed by said essentially continuous separation line or an essentially cross-directionally extending connection and fold line that connects end points of said separation line, optionally forming an essentially disconnected series of separated portions; 4) guiding said web material by said web guide unit along a second part of said essentially continuous web path from said separation unit to said combining unit; 5) transferring at least a leading portion of said at least partially separated portions by said transfer unit along a separated portions path, differing from said second part of said web path; 6) recombining said web material (100") and separated portions (300, 300', 300") in said combination unit; whereby in said method said separated portions are positioned machine-directionally offset relative to said predetermined regions from which they are separated. 1) providing e. a web material exhibiting lateral side margins (104, 106); f. a separation unit for forming at least partially separated portions (300, 300', 300") in predetermined regions of said web material; g. a transfer unit for transferring said at least partially separated portions (300, 300', 300") of said web material; h. a web guide unit for said web material; e. a combination unit; e. a web material exhibiting lateral side margins (104, 106); f. a separation unit for forming at least partially separated portions (300, 300', 300") in predetermined regions of said web material; g. a transfer unit for transferring said at least partially separated portions (300, 300', 300") of said web material; h. a web guide unit for said web material; e. a combination unit; 2) feeding said web material along a first web path to said separation unit; 3) applying an essentially continuous separation line, thereby creating a series of at least partially separated portions in predetermined regions of said web material in said separation unit, such that said web material remains essentially continuous along its side margins (104, 106), whilst the at least partially separated portions of said web material are circumscribed by said essentially continuous separation line or an essentially cross-directionally extending connection and fold line that connects end points of said separation line, optionally forming an essentially disconnected series of separated portions; such that said web material remains essentially continuous along its side margins (104, 106), whilst the at least partially separated portions of said web material are circumscribed by said essentially continuous separation line or an essentially cross-directionally extending connection and fold line that connects end points of said separation line, optionally forming an essentially disconnected series of separated portions; 4) guiding said web material by said web guide unit along a second part of said essentially continuous web path from said separation unit to said combining unit; 5) transferring at least a leading portion of said at least partially separated portions by said transfer unit along a separated portions path, differing from said second part of said web path; 6) recombining said web material (100") and separated portions (300, 300', 300") in said combination unit; whereby in said method said separated portions are positioned machine-directionally offset relative to said predetermined regions from which they are separated.