A method of manufacturing a belt (70) or a side panel of an absorbent article includes the steps of feeding a web of material (1) in the machine direction (MD) and cutting the web of material along the machine direction into at least a first web portion (10) and a second web portion (12). A laminate (7) can be produced by feeding an elastic web material (3) along the machine direction and joining it with the first web portion and the second web portion; and cutting individual belts (70, 90) or side panels from the laminate along the cross machine direction (CD).