A process for making an embossed web. A precursor web is provided between a forming structure and a static pressure plenum. The forming structure has a plurality of discrete protruded elements. Pressure is provided by the static pressure plenum against the precursor web and the forming structure to conform the precursor web to the discrete protruded elements of the forming structure to form the embossed web. The resulting embossed web has a plurality of discrete extended elements having open proximal ends.