A tissue product is provided comprising a wet-laid sheet which comprises cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers, wherein the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to provide the wet laid-sheet with a lower density and higher thickness at a given basis weight compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions. The cellulose ester staple fibers can also provide the wet laid-sheet with a higher softness and/or higher water absorbance, compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions.