Abstract: Webs of paper, textile, synthetic material, metal or the like are subjected to a continuous treatment through the application of pressure produced by magnetic forces exerted via pressure bodies perpendicularly to the web. The web is guided over a straight or arcuate supporting surface and the pressure bodies extend over the width of the web. The pressure bodies are constituted by a plurality of freely movable balls, rings, rollers or pins having less diameter, or length, respectively, than the width of the band and are held adjacent one another essentially in the transverse direction of the band. The plurality of balls, rings, rollers or pins are held in a stacked offset relationship transversely and/or in the direction of web travel in such a manner that the web is subjected to pressure by the pressure bodies over its entire width. The pressure bodies may be held in position by means of cages, strips, struts, rods or the like, or may be positioned and maintained by the magnetic field.