The aim of the invention is to produce can bodies (24') comprising a can shell (24) and a closing element (31b, 32, 31a) that is fixed to one face of the can shell (24). Said aim is achieved by producing a tube (11) from a metal strip (1), optionally from directly adjacent sections (112), by means of a shaping step, at least one optional cutting step, and a continuous welding step, sections of said tube (11) being used as closed convex surfaces for cans. The sections are shaped by a shell-shaping device in such a way that can shells (24) are provided into which a closing element (31b, 32, 31a), especially a can bottom (31b), can be inserted. The longitudinal seam (11a, 124) can be produced inexpensively and at great precision essentially as a continuous seam in the welding step by means of simple installations.