The invention relates to a method of producing pockets containing a napkin (5). To this end, two web-shaped layers (1, 2) of a flat, flexible material are moved along a transport path and held at a distance apart from one another in one section of the transport path. Napkins (5) are individually picked up from a stack and placed between the layers (1, 2). Only then, downstream of the section in the web direction, are adjacent regions of the layers (1, 2) placed in contact with one another and joined to one another. The pockets formed in this manner are cut from the web-shaped layers (1, 2). In the section, a respective napkin (5) is moved in a direction essentially at a right angle to the web direction and placed between the layers (1, 2) in a position oriented essentially parallel with the web direction.