A single piece striker for a latch formed from stock, comprising a mounting plate with an integral striker bar. The striker bar extends out from the mounting plate via a neck portion. The engagement area of the striker bar has a greater diameter than the thickness of the mounting plate. The striker is formed using a progressive die. The striker bar is formed by compressing a portion of the stock to a greater thickness than the rest of the striker. Compressing a portion of the stock also provides a rounded engagement area across the length of the strike bar. Compression occurs over a series of dies that provide a progressively rounder shape. Locator channels within the dies help retain the striker bar during compression.