Abstract: A vacuum press for bonding a plurality of laminar substrates that features a processing chamber having an interior portion defined by two side walls, front and rear walls, and a chamber floor. A lower bolster member is disposed within the processing chamber and an upper force transfer member is connected to the lower bolster member such that movement in the upper force transfer member and produces concurrent movement in the lower bolster member. A stationary bolster member that defines a chamber ceiling is maintained between the upper force transfer member and the lower bolster member such that distance between the upper force transfer member and the stationary bolster member can vary. An actuator is connected to the upper force transfer member. The actuator moves the upper force transfer member between a load position and a press position.