Abstract: A method of treading or re-treading tires involves compression of the wearing surface of the tread. A tread strip, which may be an annular band, is compressed in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis and is bonded to a tire carcass, while being maintained under compression. This may be done by compressing a tread band into an undersized mould; apparatus for assisting this is also described. Alternatively, the tread strip may be of finite length, for example to form a lug, in which case the strip is formed with a radius of curvature less that of the surface to which it is to be applied, so that the convex (wearing) surface of the strip is compressed upon application to the carcass.