A process for assembling disposable absorbent articles, each absorbent article comprising a chassis having a first waist region longitudinally opposed to a second waist region, and having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the chassis comprising: a topsheet, a backsheet, and a liquid acquisition layer and a substantially cellulose free absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the process comprising the steps of: advancing a continuous topsheet web having a first surface and an opposing second surface in a machine direction; combining a liquid acquisition layer with the continuous topsheet web, wherein the liquid acquisition layer includes a first surface and an opposing second surface, and wherein the first surface of the liquid acquisition layer is positioned in a facing relationship with the second surface of the continuous topsheet web; combining an absorbent core with the liquid acquisition layer, wherein the absorbent core includes a first surface and an opposing second surface, and wherein the first surface of the absorbent core is positioned in a facing relationship with the second surface of the liquid acquisition layer; providing an embossing nip between a rotating patterned embossing roll and a rotating anvil roll; and embossing a pattern in the continuous topsheet web by advancing the combined continuous topsheet web, liquid acquisition layer, and absorbent core through the embossing nip, wherein the rotating patterned embossing roll contacts the first surface of the continuous topsheet web, and wherein the rotating anvil roll contacts the second surface of the absorbent core, characterized in that the process further comprises the step of deforming the continuous topsheet web and liquid acquisition layer without embossing the absorbent core while advancing the combined continuous topsheet web, liquid acquisition layer, and absorbent core through the embossing nip. advancing a continuous topsheet web having a first surface and an opposing second surface in a machine direction; combining a liquid acquisition layer with the continuous topsheet web, wherein the liquid acquisition layer includes a first surface and an opposing second surface, and wherein the first surface of the liquid acquisition layer is positioned in a facing relationship with the second surface of the continuous topsheet web; combining an absorbent core with the liquid acquisition layer, wherein the absorbent core includes a first surface and an opposing second surface, and wherein the first surface of the absorbent core is positioned in a facing relationship with the second surface of the liquid acquisition layer; providing an embossing nip between a rotating patterned embossing roll and a rotating anvil roll; and embossing a pattern in the continuous topsheet web by advancing the combined continuous topsheet web, liquid acquisition layer, and absorbent core through the embossing nip, wherein the rotating patterned embossing roll contacts the first surface of the continuous topsheet web, and wherein the rotating anvil roll contacts the second surface of the absorbent core, characterized in that the process further comprises the step of deforming the continuous topsheet web and liquid acquisition layer without embossing the absorbent core while advancing the combined continuous topsheet web, liquid acquisition layer, and absorbent core through the embossing nip.