A process for making an embossed web. A precursor web is provided between a forming structure and a static pressure plenum. The forming structure has a plurality of discrete apertures or depressions. Pressure is provided by the static pressure plenum against the precursor web and the forming structure to force the precursor web into the apertures or depressions of forming structure to form the embossed web. The resulting embossed web has a plurality of discrete extended elements.