If a recipe calls for a cookie press does one have to be used?

A cookie press is not essential to making cookies, even if specified by the recipe; the cookie press simply compresses the dough and forces it through a hole designed to create various cookie shapes. You could simply roll out the dough (another way of compressing it) and cut or stamp into shapes as required, using a knife or cookie cutter. Cookie molds are also available, to shape dough or as ovenware to cook dough in various shapes.