Strength and durability of thin-walled structures are usually calculated with the use of computer simulations. To perform such simulations using Finite Element Method, characteristics of a material subjected to monotonic tension or compression and tension-compression cyclic loading are necessary. Experimental determination of such kind of characteristics is usually performed on specimens cut out from a metal or composite thin sheet. Problems associated with testing on flat specimens under large deformation are discussed in this paper. A new design of fixture proposed by the authors for this kind of testing is shortly described. The results of investigations carried out on brass using the new fixture for flat specimens testing are also presented.