A nonwoven fabric is disclosed. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and at least a first visually discernible zone of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and the first visually discernible zone can exhibit a high visual resolution.

A three-dimensional substrate has a central longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to a central lateral axis. A line taken in a direction parallel to or perpendicular to the central lateral axis of the three-dimensional substrate has a non-apertured, first visually discernible zone in the substrate and a second visually discernible zone in the substrate. The first visually discernable zone has a pattern of three-dimensional features on a first surface or a second surface. At least some of the three-dimensional features define a microzone having a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region have a difference in value for an intensive property. The second visually discernable zone defines apertures. The apertures have an Effective Aperture Area in a range of about 0.3 mm.sup.2 to about 15 mm.sup.2.

A patterned apertured web is disclosed. The patterned apertured web includes a plurality of land areas in the patterned apertured web and a plurality of apertures defined in the patterned apertured web. At least some land areas of the plurality of land areas surround at least some apertures of the plurality of apertures. The patterned apertured web has an Effective Open Area in the range of about 3% to about 30%, according to the Aperture Test herein. The plurality of apertures include a first set of apertures defining a first shape and a second set of apertures defining a second shape. The first shape is positioned within the second shape.

An absorbent article, having a topsheet, an absorbent core, an an intermediate layer is described. The intermediate layer is attached to an inner surface of the topsheet layer, and has a first surface facing the inner surface of the topsheet, an opposing second surface, and a thickness. An ink zone extends from the second surface of the intermediate layer through the intermediate layer and at least to the inner surface of the liquid-permeable topsheet, wherein the ink zone comprises a plurality of discrete ink deposits having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first colorant and the second portion has a second colorant. The first colorant and the second colorant contrast in color with the topsheet, and wherein at least some of the plurality of discrete ink deposits is disposed on the inner surface of the liquid-permeable topsheet layer.

A process of making an absorbent article is disclosed. A liquid permeable topsheet web extending substantially continuously in a machine direction a backsheet web, and an acquisition layer are provided. The topsheet web has first and second surfaces. The backsheet web extends substantially continuously in the machine direction. The acquisition layer has a first and second surface. The topsheet and acquisition layer are aligned in a face to face relationship such that the second surface of the topsheet in in contact with the first surface of the acquisition layer and simultaneously mechanically deformed which combines the topsheet with the acquisition layer. The topsheet web and acquisition layer are nested together such that a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the topsheet web coincide with and fit together with a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the acquisition layer to provide a topsheet/acquisition layer laminate web having three-dimensional protrusions.

An absorbent hygiene article for placement in underwear is provided, including a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet is of a translucent material and is provided with a colored pattern defining at least one background region and at least one colored region having a first inherent color. The topsheet-facing side of the backsheet has a second color; and a background region located in an inner area has a higher L*-value than a background region located in the edge area.

A patterned apertured web is disclosed. The patterned apertured web includes a plurality of land areas in the patterned apertured web and a plurality of apertures defined in the patterned apertured web. At least some land areas of the plurality of land areas surround at least some apertures of the plurality of apertures. The patterned apertured web has an Effective Open Area in the range of about 3% to about 30%, according to the Aperture Test herein. The patterned apertured web has a plurality of Interaperture Distances, according to the Aperture Test herein. The Interaperture Distances have a distribution having a median and a mean, wherein the mean is different than the median. The plurality of apertures include a first set of apertures defining a first shape and a second set of apertures defining a second shape. The first shape is positioned within the second shape.

A nonwoven extending in a machine direction and a perpendicular cross-machine direction and having fibers bonded by a pattern of thermal bonds. The thermal bonds comprise larger bonds having an individual area of at least 1.0 mm.sup.2, in particular at least 1.5 mm.sup.2; and smaller bonds having an individual area of less than 1.0 mm.sup.2, in particular from about 0.10 mm.sup.2 to about 1.0 mm.sup.2. There are at least as many smaller bonds as larger bonds, the ratio of the number of smaller bonds may be in particular about two.

An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a topsheet; a backsheet; an acquisition layer disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; first and second absorbent layers is described. The topsheet and acquisition layer form a three dimensional substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a plurality of recesses and a plurality of land areas, wherein each recess is separated from one another by at least one land area, and wherein each of the plurality of recesses has an opening at a base of the recess, and side walls extending from the second surface to a distal portion. The first absorbent layer is disposed between the acquisition layer and backsheet and has a mixture of pulp and synthetic fibers. The second absorbent layer is disposed between the first absorbent layer and backsheet and has super absorbent polymer attached to a core wrap.

A process for making a composite web is disclosed. The composite web can be incorporated into an absorbent article. A volume of ink is applied to the composite web such that when the composite web is incorporated into the absorbent article, a visual signal is produced.