An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article having a first material and a second material, the apparatus comprising: a holding body that includes a holding surface and that holds the first material with the holding surface; and a transfer section that transfers the first material to the second material by moving the holding body, that is holding the first material, to the second material, wherein the first material has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a thickness greater than that of the first portion in a thickness direction of the first material, wherein the holding surface has a first region and a second region, the second region being located at a position that is more recessed to an inner side than the first region in a height direction of the holding body, and wherein the holding body holds the first material by causing the first portion to be held by suction on the first region and causing the second portion to be held by suction on the second region, characterized in that the holding surface has a plurality of holes formed therein, wherein a suction mechanism is provided, the suction mechanism being configured to suck air through the holes in order that the holding body causes the first portion to be held by suction to the first region and causes the second portion to be held by suction to the second region, and wherein, among the plurality of holes, the hole formed in the second region has a size that is smaller than a size of the hole formed in the first region, and wherein a suction pressure per unit area exerted on the second portion during the suction operation is smaller than a suction pressure per unit area exerted on the first portion during the suction operation. a holding body that includes a holding surface and that holds the first material with the holding surface; and a transfer section that transfers the first material to the second material by moving the holding body, that is holding the first material, to the second material, wherein the first material has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a thickness greater than that of the first portion in a thickness direction of the first material, wherein the holding surface has a first region and a second region, the second region being located at a position that is more recessed to an inner side than the first region in a height direction of the holding body, and wherein the holding body holds the first material by causing the first portion to be held by suction on the first region and causing the second portion to be held by suction on the second region, characterized in that the holding surface has a plurality of holes formed therein, wherein a suction mechanism is provided, the suction mechanism being configured to suck air through the holes in order that the holding body causes the first portion to be held by suction to the first region and causes the second portion to be held by suction to the second region, and wherein, among the plurality of holes, the hole formed in the second region has a size that is smaller than a size of the hole formed in the first region, and wherein a suction pressure per unit area exerted on the second portion during the suction operation is smaller than a suction pressure per unit area exerted on the first portion during the suction operation.