A hydraulic press has a crown, a bed, and a column connecting the crown and bed. The column contains main cylinder devices each having a fast cylinder and a pressure cylinder. Slide position scales are disposed either near the slide or the main cylinder devices to detect the position of the slide during pressing. An arithmetic unit processes data from a position instruction value generator and the slide position scales to produce an output for controlling servo valves and circuit switching valves. Those valves control the main cylinder devices. Bolster cylinders are disposed on the bed to stabilize the device. Pressure detectors are placed near the bolster cylinders. An arithmetic unit processes data from the pressure detectors and a cushion pressure instruction value generator to control a servo valve and a switching valve. The switching valve controls the bolster cylinders. The main cylinders apply force against a slide which contains a slide cylinder. Punches and trimming pieces between the slide cylinder and the bolster cylinders move together upon the introduction of force applied by the slide cylinder. A die and a blank holder also move together upon the introduction of force by the slide cylinder to secure the blank in position during subsequent operations. Pad position scales are placed near the slide cylinder. An arithmetic unit processes data from a position instruction value generator, and the pad position scales to control a plurality of servo valves which control fluid pressure in the slide cylinder.