A method for plugging a subset of cells of a honeycomb structure that includes: covering a first end face of the honeycomb structure with a mask that comprises a body and a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings of the mask is coincident with a plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; providing a plug of material upon a film material; applying a force to the film material to push the plug of material through the plurality of openings of the mask and into the plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; and measuring a pressure within the plurality of cells during the applying step, wherein the applying step further comprises adjusting the force applied to the film material based at least in part on the pressure within the plurality of cells to push the plug of material to a predetermined depth within the plurality of cells.