A perforating apparatus has a base having at least one counter component. The counter component has a length, Lcc, and a nonlinear repeat length. A support is operatively engaged with the base. A blade having a length, LB, is disposed on the support so as to cooperate in interacting relationship with the counter component. The blade has a plurality of teeth. A web material is perforated as it passes between the base and the support and the blade cooperates with the counter component. A drive is associated with one of the support and the base to reciprocally shift the one of the support or the base for a distance, D, in a shifting direction.