A method is provided for making a gasketed fuel cell MEA comprising the steps of: selecting an FTL sheet material; selecting a target level of compression C % for use of said FTL sheet material in a fuel cell MEA; measuring die pressure Pt for which the FTL sheet material achieves compression of Ct %; positioning between the platens of a press an MEA comprising: a PEM; an anode catalyst material; a cathode catalyst material; an anode-side FTL comprising the selected FTL sheet material; and a cathode-side FTL comprising the selected FTL sheet material; depositing a gasket material in the outer edge portions of the anode and cathode faces of the PEM; compressing the MEA to a pressing pressure Pp which is between 90% and 110% of Pt; and substantially fixing the gasket material so as to form a gasketed fuel cell MEA.