A platen for use in a laminating press is provided which includes a body of material having first and second faces and spaced first and second ends. Preferably, at least one heating device is disposed in the body of material. First and second spaced cooling channels are formed in the body of material, the first cooling channel being adjacent the first face and having a fluid inlet port adjacent to or in the first end, and a fluid outlet port adjacent to or in the second end, and a second cooling channel being adjacent the second face and having a fluid inlet port adjacent to or in said second end, and a fluid outlet port adjacent to or in the first end. The invention also contemplates using such platens for laminating a book or stack of sheets of material to form a unitary single member having reduced stresses.