An experimental study investigating a novel power characterisation method is investigated. The scope of this experimental work is to assess the feasibility, suitability and sensitivity of small scale probe indentation as a mechanism by which Discrete element method (DEM) may be calibrated. This mesoscale approach is chosen for investigation since it bridges the gap between the single-particle methodologies of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and bulk measurements such as shear cell testing. Five different mono-modal populations of glass bead and bi-modal blends of these populations have been examined. The force-displacement profile from a spherical probe was measured during indentation into a powder bed. Discernable differences in the resultant force-profile are quantifiable and a mechanism has been proposed for the physical basis of these different characteristics.