The tension profiles of paper webs are very important for determining the runnability in printing presses. Uneven tension profiles, with lower web tension toward the edges, develop in the paper machine due to many factors such as moisture content, residual strains related to drying and draw conditions, fibre orientation etc. This study presents some simple relations regarding the initial strain distribution, but also a method for adjusting the tension profile by choosing an appropriate moisture distribution. The method is verified on web tension and moisture measurements in a pressroom.