an apparatus and a method for preparing an absorbent article is disclosed . the apparatus has at least two forming surfaces which differ in terms of air permeability to allow the selective placement of fibrous material . the forming surface comprises a perforated forming screen . the forming screen has multiple zones with different amounts of open area through which air may pass . particles carried in the air which flows through the open area are deposited on different zones of the forming screen resulting in different basis weights corresponding to the different air permeabilities . the apparatus and method thus provide an article having optimal zoned absorbency in a cost - effective manner .