An extrusion die (10) includes a die body (30) having an upstream face (32) and a downstream face (34) with an extrusion profile (22) passing through the body (30) from the upstream face (32) to the downstream face (34). The walls of the extrusion profile (22) being the bearing (46) of the die (10). A pocket (40) having tapered sidewalls (70) is formed in the upstream face (32) of the die (10) and surrounds the extrusion profile (22). The configuration of the pocket (40) improves the material flow through the die (10). The configuration of the pocket (40) depends on the configuration of the extrusion profile (22). The width of the pocket (40) is small at the fast areas of the extrusion profile (22) while being large at the slow areas of the extrusion profile (22). The pocket (40) alters the entry angle of material as it enters the die (10) thus reducing friction in the die (10) and allowing increased extrusion speeds. In conjunction with the pocket (40), the die (10) has a continuous bearing (46) having a length depending on the configuration of the extrusion profile (22).
