A method of applying structural elements to an absorbent article, said absorbent article comprising a top sheet and a back sheet, where expandable ink is applied to the top sheet, and the expandable ink is activated, whereby three-dimensional structural elements are obtained on the top sheet； an absorbent article comprising a top sheet provided with structural elements, where the structural elements consist of expandable ink that has been applied to the top sheet and has been subsequently activated to form three-dimensional structural elements； and the use of an expandable ink to provide structural element to a top sheet of an absorbent article. Fig. 1
