It is very difficult to obtain perfect performance to apply the conventional PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller, because hydraulic headbox needs high precision total pressure control. Transfer function of total pressure control system was identified by using the direct identification method which is based on the least square method for the first-order plus delay time model. Then combined with IMC (Internal-Model-control) –PID method, an IMC-PID controller was designed, which is simple and only needed to adjust one parameter-the time constant of low pass filter. Acceptable performance can also be obtained by tuning time constant of the low pass filter when the model doesn't match with the real process. The algorithm was applied to total pressure control system of hydraulic headbox. Simulation and practical application show that, IMC-PID is of strong robustness and good dynamic characteristics. Finally, the control system is implemented by S7-300 PLC.