Abstract: A method of forming slats for venetian blinds and the like is disclosed. An elongated baked enameled metallic strip is subjected to a plurality of gradual bending increments through the use of sequential pairs of forming rollers that form a central longitudinal body section of upwardly arched configuration, longitudinal ribs which extend downwardly and outwardly from the body section and longitudinal edge sections which extend outwardly from the ribs but are curled inwardly to provide marginal edges on the strip. By bending the strip in gradual increments in a preferred sequence with a plurality of pairs of sequential rollers, slats can be formed in a continuous operation wherein bending stresses on the strip are minimized to avoid stress cracks in both the baked enamel and in the metal.