A method of forming a side seam of an absorbent article , the method comprising the steps of: a. providing an absorbent article comprising: i. a machine direction , a cross-direction , and a z-direction ; ii. a front waist region , a back waist region , and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front waist region and the back waist region; iii. a first side panel comprising a first fastening component and located in the front waist region having a first width dimension in the cross-direction; and iv. a second side panel comprising a second fastening component and located in the back waist region having a second width dimension in the cross-direction, wherein the second width dimension is larger than the first width dimension; b. bringing the first side panel and the second side panel into proximity with each other; c. folding the second side panel over the first side panel; d. engaging the first fastening component and the second fastening component in the z-direction; and e. manipulating the first side panel and the second side panel in the cross-direction to further engage the first fastening component and the second fastening component in the cross-direction; wherein the method comprises transporting the absorbent article in a machine direction of the method and between a pair of fastening conveyors , wherein one of the fastening conveyors has a fold plate around which the second side panel folds, wherein the fastening conveyor further has an engagement rod , and wherein the engagement rod has an arch in the cross-direction such that as the absorbent article moves in the machine direction, when the absorbent article reaches the arch in the engagement rod the material of the absorbent article will move in the cross-direction, such movement in the cross-direction further engaging the first fastening component with the second fastening component in the cross-direction, as aforesaid. a. providing an absorbent article comprising: i. a machine direction , a cross-direction , and a z-direction ; ii. a front waist region , a back waist region , and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front waist region and the back waist region; iii. a first side panel comprising a first fastening component and located in the front waist region having a first width dimension in the cross-direction; and iv. a second side panel comprising a second fastening component and located in the back waist region having a second width dimension in the cross-direction, wherein the second width dimension is larger than the first width dimension; i. a machine direction , a cross-direction , and a z-direction ; ii. a front waist region , a back waist region , and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front waist region and the back waist region; iii. a first side panel comprising a first fastening component and located in the front waist region having a first width dimension in the cross-direction; and iv. a second side panel comprising a second fastening component and located in the back waist region having a second width dimension in the cross-direction, wherein the second width dimension is larger than the first width dimension; b. bringing the first side panel and the second side panel into proximity with each other; c. folding the second side panel over the first side panel; d. engaging the first fastening component and the second fastening component in the z-direction; and e. manipulating the first side panel and the second side panel in the cross-direction to further engage the first fastening component and the second fastening component in the cross-direction; <EOS>