a wet - laid paper having an outer surface configured to be pleasing to the eye and further having improved bulk , softness , and width wise stretch ratio without loss of tensile strength . the paper is characterized spaced diagonally arranged continuous zones or rows of compressed fibers extending across the width of the paper . these compressed zones or rows are separated with diagonally arranged arrays of uncompressed pillow like zones of uncompressed fibers which are at least partially encircled with picket like lineaments of compressed fibers . the invention includes the process of making the paper .