An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core comprising channels disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a printed adhesive layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core such that the printed adhesive layer is visible through the topsheet. At least a portion of the adhesive layer forms a pattern of one or more pairs of contoured lines that run lengthwise in the machine direction of the absorbent article, each pair being symmetric to its compliment across an axis of the absorbent article drawn in the machine direction and at the center of its width. The distance between the innermost pair of contoured lines is from about 15 mm to about 25 mm or the amount of adhesive comprising the printed adhesive layer is such that the pattern coverage with the adhesive is from about 15% to about 30%.
