In this study the effect of paper structure on ink transfer and cold-set print quality was assessed. A factorial experiment involving 5 factors with two levels was designed. Several sheet structures were constructed. The sheets were made from three basic pulps, thermomechanical pulp (TMP), de-inked pulp (DIP) and stone groundwood (SGW). The designed structures were homogeneous and layered to verify the effect of sheet structure and fines content on print quality. A comprehensive multiscale characterisation of the sheet structures was performed. The analyses comprised scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury porosimetry for bulk structure assessment. Parker Print Surf (PPS), laser profilometry and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were applied for giving a detailed description of the surface structure affecting ink transfer. The study revealed that the surface structure affects the ink demand and set-off. Increasing the micro-roughness leads to an increment of ink demand in order to achieve a given print density. The bulk pore structure affects the light scattering coefficients. Small pores are positive for increasing the light scattering and thus for reducing the print-through level. This was confirmed by SEM and mercury porosimetry measurements.