I think of "pressing" as bringing the iron down to one spot - and leaving it on that spot for a few seconds - then lifting it up and putting it down in another spot.
When it comes to my quilting pieces - I "press" to set the seams - and then turn the piece to the right side to "iron" the seam to one side (usually). Because I am a fanatic about grain lines - and iron "with the grain" - I seldom have distortions on my blocks.