Abstract: A method of forming an air-laid web or sheet of wood pulp fibers suitable for tissue and toweling applications comprising airlaying a web of wood pulp fibers, applying water containing a chemical softening agent to the web, pressure bonding the water-treated web to provide dry stength, preferably drying the pressure-bonded web, applying an adhesive containing solution to the dried web to provide increased wet strength, and drying the web to form the finished product. By adding a chemical softening agent to the water applied to the air-laid web ahead of the pressure bonding rolls, the strength and softness of the finished web can be controlled. Alternatively, the chemical softening agent can be added to the printing adhesive solution.