The structure of a membrane press is sometimes described as a three-chamber system. The three chambers comprise the following components:

The upper limit of the first chamber is the upper pressure plate and the lower limit is the membrane. The membrane, which is flexibly suspended, is brought up against the upper heating/pressure plate by a vacuum or by pressure in order to heat it up. A positive pressure is then formed which is used by the membrane to coat the workpiece.

The top of the second, central chamber is formed by the membrane, while the bottom is formed by the inserted coating material. The coating and membrane are pulled together by a vacuum. The coating material is heated up; after pressing, the membrane is separated from the coating material by a puff of air.

The top of the third chamber is formed by the coating, the bottom by the lower pressure plate. The workpiece is placed in this chamber.