Methods of producing a multi-ply paper product are provided. The methods comprise applying coagulant and/or hybrid coagulant-flocculant composition to an upper ply substrate disposed adjacent and above a lower ply substrate in an amount such that a portion of the coagulant and/or the hybrid coagulant-flocculant composition passes through the upper ply substrate. Preferably, the lower ply substrate has a greater freeness than the upper ply substrate. The methods of the present disclosure preferably allow for efficient use of RDF chemicals while making use of the innate freeness differences between the upper and lower ply substrates.