Abstract: A device is disclosed for positioning the slide of a press to compensate for insufficiencies of the stroke. A predetermined preload is first adjusted to the slide to take up clearances which may be present between the various moving parts of the press, dies and material to be processed. A slide preload compensating amount is then additionally adjusted to the slide equivalent to the amount of deformation of compression which the slide and frame will undergo during a working stroke. Therefore, the vertical position of the slide is established with the insufficiencies of the stroke eliminated.