This invention discloses a continuously operating press having a pressing table, a pressing ram and flexible endless steel strips which are driven around the pressing table and pressing ram, respectively, and which draw the material to be pressed through the press. The press also has rolling bars which are disposed between the steel strips, and the pressing table and pressing ram, respectively. The rolling bars provide support to the steel strips and roll on roll platens which are attached to heated platens. The roll platens have surfaces which are heat treated and which have a precision ground finish and a Brinell hardness of 250.