Abstract: A press for gluing footwear elements to each other comprising a tank and means for supporting an article of footwear in the tank. A flexible pocket or elastic membrane is positioned in the tank and is adapted to envelope at least the portion of the article of footwear which includes the footwear elements which are to be glued to each other. The press includes a jack having a cylinder and a piston movable in the cylinder, the piston being adapted to be moved by the application of a pressurized pneumatic fluid to one surface of the piston. The opposite surface of the piston communicates with a liquid supply in the tank, whereby movement of the piston is operable to force the liquid under pressure against the flexible pocket or elastic membrane to cause the flexible pocket to conform to the contour of the footwear elements whereby to cause the elements to become glued to each other. Means is provided for moving the piston to a retracted position when the pneumatic pressure is released.