The compression ability of fibres and fibre networks were investigated. The surface and bulk compressions of paper influence calendering, coating, surface sizing ability and the penetration of ink in printing. Two kraft pulps (spruce) were produced in the laboratory to obtain pulps with different levels of xylan. Using those kraft pulps alone or mixed with 50% of a commercial TMP pulp, single-layer sheets were formed in a Formette Dynamique sheet former. The pulps and mixture levels were chosen to obtain papers with systematically altered property variation but with constant grammage. The papers were characterized according to both bulk and surface compressibility. The papers were printed in a flexo IGTF1 laboratory printing press and the transferred amount of ink, dot gain, and mottling were analyzed.