Abstract: A continuous operation press for the manufacture and treatment of a board web of prefabricated or raw material, wherein the board web is passed into an inlet region between the upper and lower stringers of upper and lower endless belts traveling at a predetermined velocity in the transport direction, wherein there is provided a smooth coating formed with grooves serving as a sliding surface located at least in the main press and calibration regions. The board web glides above the smooth coating with the aid of fluid lubricant, the lubricant being supplied to the smooth coating through supply openings and discharged therefrom through discharge openings. Each groove in the smooth coating is formed with an opening therein either as a supply or discharge opening, each groove having a lubricant supply opening being positioned adjacent a groove having a lubricant discharge opening. Means are provided for controlling the pressure in at least some of said grooves for generation of a counter-pressure.