"He who marches out of step hears another drum." ~ Ken Kesey
If your press does not have the option for front position then you're going to keep having this problem.
Getting the HD gel down thicker so you don't have to pfp is one solution.
Suggest a mesh and tension for a single pass HD Gel plate and I'll sure try it.
<snip> Use a decent space heater and stop blowing that freakin hot air all over the place