An improved apparatus and method compresses a cylindrical blank (24) into a tampon which is dimensionally stable and which is provided with a domed insertion end. A cylindrical blank (24) is radially compressed and then introduced into a cylindrical axial compression chamber (50). The blank (24) is then subjected to an extreme axial overcompression. The closed insertion end of the compression chamber has a bore formed therethrough. The bore is generally coaxial and is adapted to accept a reciprocating ejection ram (58) having a ram surface facing into the chamber. When the ram (58) is seated in the first position, the ram surface and the insertion end wall of the compression chamber together form a smooth doming surface. The bore periphery is of a smaller diameter than the chamber and hence radially spaced from the side walls of the chamber, and the ram has sufficient clearance to move through the chamber and eject the tampon without interference from the walls of the chamber.
