The invention relates to a cartoning apparatus (1) of items comprising: a die-cut magazine (125), in which a plurality of die-cuts (5) are stored for packaging the items, and a die-cut (170) pick-up and manipulating machine, configured to pick up the die-cuts (5) from the die-cut (125) magazine and manipulate them so as to open each die-cut (5). Where the die-cut (170) pick-up and manipulating machine comprises a robotic arm (180) on which a die-cut (175) gripping and manipulating module is installed, configured to grip one die-cut (5) at a time directly from the pick-up area (135) of the die-cut (125) magazine and manipulate it in order to open it.