Multi-ply fibrous sheets having a wet-laid ply and a dry-laid ply

A process for forming a multi-ply sheet of cellulosic fibrous material comprising the steps of:

• dry-laying a mat of cellulosic fibrous material by depositing cellulosic fibers in a dry state via an airstream onto a main forming band to a thickness sufficient to form a distinct ply within a multi-ply sheet after the fibers of the mat have been caused to adhere together by the concurrent application of heat, moisture and pressure,
• forming a web of cellulosic fibrous material by a wet-forming technique on an auxiliary forming band,
• joining the web and the mat together under sufficient pressure to join them into a multi-ply sheet while concurrently consolidating the fibers of the dry-laid mat into a strong discernable ply by concurrently subjecting the mat to all three of moisture, heat greater than 150.degree. F. and pressure of not less than 50 p.s.i. by passing the joined multi-ply sheet through at least one press nip formed between at least one press roll and a heated cylinder wherein the dry-laid mat receives at least a major portion of the moisture it requires for such strength by transfer of moisture from the wet-laid web to the dry-laid mat.