Adhesive bandages having a backing layer with first and second opposing surfaces, and an embossed absorbent pad associated with the backing layer, the embossed absorbent pad including a first surface that faces the second surface of the backing layer and an opposing second surface having a plurality of tufted regions surrounded and separated by a first network of interconnecting channels recessed in the second surface of the absorbent pad where the tufted regions have a substantially uniform first density, the channel base region has a substantially uniform second density that is greater than the substantially uniform first density of the tufted regions and the network of channels is visible.
