Abstract: A fabric printing machine having a conveyor belt for supporting a fabric to be printed. A drive unit is connected to the belt, and a control mechanism coacts with the belt and the drive unit for permitting intermittent unidirectional advancing movement of the belt through a selected distance. The drive unit includes a first drive for advancing the belt at a fast speed and a second drive for advancing the belt at a slowspeed. The control mechanism includes a belt engaging device adapted for gripping engagement with the belt for causing synchronous movement of the belt and engaging device during the advancing movement. The control mechanism also includes means for activating the belt engaging device and for causing the first and second drives to be sequentially connected to the belt for moving the belt at fast speed through a first preselected distance and thereafter moving the belt at slow speed through a second preselected distance.