A method of cutting a length of tire tread for manufacture of a retread tire, such method comprising: measuring a circumference of the tire casing assembly; dispensing a length of tire tread from a roll based on the measured circumference, the length of tread having a first end and a periodically repeating tread design; adjusting the length of tire tread relative to a tread cutter so that the tire tread design at the point where the tread may be cut is between either a first set of pre-applied marks or a second set of pre-applied marks, wherein both the first set of pre-applied marks and the second set of pre-applied marks are formed in the periodically repeating tread design, the location of such first and second sets of pre-applied marks (106, 108) being determined based on evaluation of the expected physical performance of the splice between the ends of the tire tread; and cutting the tire tread comprising the first set of pre-applied marks and the second set of pre-applied marks with the tread cutter along a linear length of the tread disposed within either the first set of pre-applied marks or the second set of pre-applied marks to form a second end of the length of tire tread, wherein the first end and the second end define a section of tire tread that is cut either between two first sets of pre-applied marks or between two second sets of pre-applied marks, the first end matching the second end so that the periodically repeating tread pattern (100; 200) appears continuous at a seam (802; 902) defined when the section of tire tread is wrapped around the casing such that the first and second ends meet in abutting relationship, wherein the first set of pre-applied marks is defined by two linear slits extending parallel to one another transversely relative to the tread, and wherein the linear length of the tread within which the tire tread is cut is defined along a gap disposed between the two linear slits, and wherein the second set of pre-applied marks is defined by a base slit extending transversely relative to the tread and a cross slit that is bisected perpendicularly by the base slit to form a T-shape, and wherein the linear length of the tread within which the tire tread is cut is equal to a length of the cross slit. measuring a circumference of the tire casing assembly; dispensing a length of tire tread from a roll based on the measured circumference, the length of tread having a first end and a periodically repeating tread design; adjusting the length of tire tread relative to a tread cutter so that the tire tread design at the point where the tread may be cut is between either a first set of pre-applied marks or a second set of pre-applied marks, wherein both the first set of pre-applied marks and the second set of pre-applied marks are formed in the periodically repeating tread design, the location of such first and second sets of pre-applied marks (106, 108) being determined based on evaluation of the expected physical performance of the splice between the ends of the tire tread; and cutting the tire tread comprising the first set of pre-applied marks and the second set of pre-applied marks with the tread cutter along a linear length of the tread disposed within either the first set of pre-applied marks or the second set of pre-applied marks to form a second end of the length of tire tread, wherein the first end and the second end define a section of tire tread that is cut either between two first sets of pre-applied marks or between two second sets of pre-applied marks, the first end matching the second end so that the periodically repeating tread pattern (100; 200) appears continuous at a seam (802; 902) defined when the section of tire tread is wrapped around the casing such that the first and second ends meet in abutting relationship, wherein the first set of pre-applied marks is defined by two linear slits extending parallel to one another transversely relative to the tread, and wherein the linear length of the tread within which the tire tread is cut is defined along a gap disposed between the two linear slits, and wherein the second set of pre-applied marks is defined by a base slit extending transversely relative to the tread and a cross slit that is bisected perpendicularly by the base slit to form a T-shape, and wherein the linear length of the tread within which the tire tread is cut is equal to a length of the cross slit.