Variable stretch composites and methods of making the composite

An absorbent article comprising a variable stretch composite, obtained by a process comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a first extensible fibrous substrate;
• (b) printing a first elastomeric composition in a fluid state either directly or indirectly to a first elasticized region of the substrate to form one or more first elastomeric members;
• (c) printing a second elastomeric composition in a fluid state either directly or indirectly to a second elasticized region of the substrate, to form one or more second elastomeric members, thereby forming a composite preform;
• the first and the second elastomeric members are different in a property selected from the group consisting of elasticity, melt viscosity, composition, shape, pattern, add-on level, and combinations thereof;
• and
• (d) incrementally stretching at least a portion of the composite preform within the first or the second elasticized region to permanently elongate the substrate, thereby forming the variable stretch composite;
• wherein the substrate comprises a single absorbent article component selected from a cuff region, a waist region, a side panel, a fastening system, an ear, an outer cover, and a topsheet;
• and
• wherein the variable stretch composite has a directional elasticity in at least one direction from about 5 N/m to about 400 N/m, when measured as load at 75% strain.