Author Ken Hirscht, Applications Engineer, JH Technologies
Paper towel absorption is a key topic that bridges everyday practicality with material science. Understanding how and why paper towels absorb liquid helps explain their performance in both domestic and industrial settings, where effectiveness, hygiene, and efficiency are essential.
Fig. 1 Everyday usage of paper towels, like making the new guy clean the lunch table.
Why Absorption Matters
Understanding absorption is essential for evaluating paper towel performance. Design choices, such as fiber width and weave, can impact how quickly and effectively a towel absorbs spills.
There are many aspects to making a good paper towel. In this study, three different brand name paper towels were compared by weight, absorbency, and 3D pore structure.
3D Microscopy Materials and Methods: Paper Towel Absorbency Test
In this experiment, three different brand name paper towels were compared. The three brands have very different approaches to making a towel that traps water well.
- Bounty is thicker and fluffier than the others, with several layers that you can compress together if you squeeze it
- Scott brand has deep grooves in thick one-ply construction
- Bargain brand has a thin, tissue-paper like feel with deep round perforations that holds two layers of the towel together.
Fig 2 Bounty, Scott, Bargain Brand paper towel patterns
Fig 3 Prepared paper towel specimens for optical metrology analysis
Since the 3D surface profilometer (Fig 4) scans small fields of view at a time, the paper towels were cut down in size to roughly equal strips making them easier to scan. 
Fig 4 Sensofar S Neox non-contact 3D surface profiler
The Sensofar S Neox was used to acquire the 3D data. It has several techniques and magnification available, but the 10x and 20x confocal were chosen for lateral resolution, and ability to handle the large amounts of lighting needed to scan the deep fibers of the towels.
Test Results
Paper towels from each brand were obtained for testing. A pair of scissors was used to cut samples, and a digital scale with a precision of at least 0.01 g was used for all mass measurements. A mostly clean bowl from the office kitchen was used to hold tap water, and a timer was used to ensure consistent immersion and drip times.
Three samples were prepared from each paper towel brand. Each sample was cut to the exact same shape by stacking all towels on top of each other, and then cutting them all at once, like a stack of pancakes, only instead with scissors. Each dry sample was weighed using the digital scale, and the mass was recorded to the nearest 0.001 g.
Each sample was fully submerged in water for approximately 5 seconds to allow saturation, then held above the container and allowed to drip for an additional 5 seconds to remove excess water. Immediately after dripping, the wet sample was weighed, and the mass was recorded to the nearest 0.001 g.
The amount of water absorbed by each sample was calculated by subtracting the dry mass from the wet mass:
Absorbed Water (g) = Wet Mass – Dry Mass
The absorbency of the paper towel was calculated as a percentage of the dry mass:
Absorbency (g) = Wet Mass / Dry Mass x 100%
Fig 5 Absorbency data collection
Fig 6 Absorbency Test Graph
The Bargain brand was able to hold 10 times its own weight in water in the absorbency test.
The Scott brand was a little better, holding nearly 13 times its own weight in the test.
The Bounty brand towel sample was the heaviest of all three brands but was able to hold nearly 19 times its weight in water without a drip during the test.
Data Restoration and 3D Surface Scans
The SensoSCAN Software restoration algorithm used to enhance contrast and interpolate some holes in the data of the 3D reconstruction wherever reasonably possible
Fig 7a Before restoration
Fig 7b After restoration[/caption]
Bargain Brand
The Bargain brand had a coarse, linear “grain” to the fibers, as can be seen in the macro scans below. The maximum pore depth was about 650um, as can be seen in the single FOV scan below (Fig 8a), while the overall thickness of the towel itself was 669um (Fig 8 c), seen in the stitched scan (Fig 8b). That means that the round perforations in the pattern were pressed almost entirely through the towel leaving shockingly thin 20um of thickness! This design of fiber grain and pore geometry surely worked well, since the Bargain brand held 10x its own weight in water, however, the other two brands performed better.
Fig 8a Bargain brand scan with profile line
Fig 8b Bargain brand stitched 3D scan
Fig 8c Bargain brand stitched 3D scan with profile line showing thickness measurementsBounty Brand
The Bounty brand had a very fine, fluffy, and random arrangement of fibers, as can be seen in the macro scans below (Fig 9b). The maximum pore depth was roughly 563um (Fig 9a), as can be seen in the single FOV scan below, while the overall thickness of the towel itself was 800um (Fig 9c). Interestingly, the geometry of the pores were more like little bow-ties with the deepest pockets at each of the four corners. This peculiar shape and arrangement of fibers is surely part of the secret that makes Bounty the “quicker picker upper”!
Fig 9c Bounty brand stitched 3D scan with profile line showing thickness measurements
Scott Brand
The Scott brand also had a fine and random arrangement of fibers, similar to the Bounty brand (Fig 10). The maximum pore depth was roughly 649um, as can be seen in the single FOV scan below, while the overall thickness of the towel itself was 786um. However, this thickness number is deceiving. It may appear to approach bounty’s 800um thickness, but Scott brand’s one-ply construction means that most of the space under the “mountains” in the pattern is empty space. This gives the Scott brand a high pore depth, while saving weight. That explains why it can hold 30% more water than the bargain brand for the same weight.
Fig 10d Scott brand stitched 3D scan with angled profile line showing thickness measurements
3D Microscopy Testing Conclusion: Which Paper Towel is Most Absorbent?
Who knew paper towels could double as a crash course in material science? When put to the test, the three brands revealed just how much design matters. Bounty lived up to its “quicker picker-upper” hype with fluffy fibers and bowtie-shaped pores that let it guzzle nearly 19x its own weight in water. The bargain brand, though thinner than a pancake and riddled with deep perforations, still soaked up a respectable 10x. But the real surprise was Scott—its clever wave-like pore geometry let it pull in 30% more water than the bargain roll, all while keeping its lightweight frame. In short: fiber finesse and pore geometry aren’t just buzzwords—they’re what separate a humble spill-wiper from a true absorbency powerhouse.
So, which should you actually buy? It depends on your priorities:
- “I want cheap” → Go with the bargain brand. It may not win science fairs, but it delivers functional absorbency without draining your wallet. Approximately $1.32/roll
- “I want the most absorbent” → Bounty is your champion. Its bowtie pores and plush fibers make it the heavyweight of household messes. Approximately $3.58/roll
- “I want the best eco option” → Skip the high-absorbency arms race and choose recycled or reusable towels. They may not break records in absorbency tests, but they’ll lighten your environmental footprint. Approximately $1.99/roll
Turns out, choosing a paper towel isn’t just about grabbing the nearest roll—it’s about matching science to your priorities.
