An absorptive article manufacturing method manufactures an absorptive article (1) while conveying a continuous body (120) of a rear surface sheet with the conveyance direction (MD) of the continuous body (120) aligned with the longitudinal direction of the absorptive article (1). The absorptive article manufacturing method comprises: a step of pressing the continuous body (120) of a rear surface sheet in the thickness direction (1’) of the continuous body (120) by means of an embossing roll mechanism (520), a step of expanding, by means of an expanding roll mechanism (600), the continuous body (120) of a rear surface sheet toward the outside of the continuous body (120) in the width direction (CD) thereof until the continuous body (120) is flat, and a step of joining an absorbing body (30) to the continuous body (120) of a rear surface sheet. FIG
