The invention relates to an absorbent paper product, made in particular of tissue paper, that includes at least two plies, at least one of which is embossed according to an embossing pattern that includes projections (1, 2, 3) with a density of 30 or more per cm.sup.2. According to the invention, the embossing patterns include at least two adjacent zones whose projections (1, 2, 3) have, respectively, a different density and/or a different surface area at the peak so as to produce a relief effect on the product.