Abstract: The present invention relates to a female press bending ring for use in the press bending of glass sheets outside of a furnace, and more particularly to a female press bending ring which is suitably heated during the bending cycle to regulate the transfer of heat between the peripheral margin of the glass and the female bending ring with which it is in contact. By so doing, near-edge tension and edge stresses are greatly reduced, thereby reducing chill cracking and glass breakage during and after production. The female ring may be covered by a layer of fiberglass cloth or the like to provide a smooth resilient surface for engaging the glass sheet.