Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.