Abstract: A process for producing tissue webs is disclosed. The process may include the step of partially dewatering a tissue web, subjecting the web to at least one deflection against a fabric, such as a coarse fabric, and then creping the web. During the process, after being dewatered, the tissue web is transferred from a transfer conveyor to the fabric using a pneumatic force, such as a suction force. In order to prevent liquids from rewetting the tissue web as the tissue web is being transferred to the fabric, the transfer conveyor is made from a material that inhibits or prevents liquids from flowing into the tissue web. For instance, in one embodiment, the transfer conveyor may comprise a felt comprised of small capillary materials. The felt may have an intake rate, for instance, of less than about 150 ?L/s when wet, may have a mean free pore size of less than about 20 microns, and may have a minimum pore size of less than about 5 microns.