Abstract: A book forming and pressing apparatus provides a pair of chain driven conveyors or carriages in side-by-side relation which define a book flow path between the carriages on which are mounted a plurality of creasing iron assemblies. The creasing iron assemblies move through the book flow path in synchronized timed relation to the passage of books with a book pressed between each pair of creasing iron assemblies. An array of fixed elongated lamps are provided on a return side of each carriage for emitting radiant energy in a line focused on a path of travel of nippers of the creasing iron assemblies to heat and maintain the nippers at an elevated temperature for creasing each book at its hinge area upon the nipper being conveyed by its carriage into the book flow path.