The density and the stress distribution within a compact of ceramic powder induced by uniaxial single action pressing can be simulated on the basis of the elasto-plastic Drucker-Prager Cap model. This model uses a bulk hardening law which is difficult to obtain by experiments. A methodology is proposed for the identification of the material parameters. The behaviour of the powder has been experimentally determined as concerns the elastic parameters and the frictional coefficient at the boundary. These non linear problems have been solved with the finite element code ABAQUS. A good agreement between experimental and numerical results was obtained. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.