A method of making a papermaking belt is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a reinforcing structure having a paper-facing side, a machine-facing side opposite the paper-facing side, interstices and a reinforcing component comprised of a plurality of structural components; (b) providing a material for coating the woven reinforcing structure; (c) placing a discrete measuring device into the material for coating the woven reinforcing structure; and, (d) coating the woven reinforcing structure with the material so that the material forms a first surface and a second surface relative to the paper-facing and machine-facing sides, the material being distributed so that the paper-facing side of the reinforcing structure and the measuring device are positioned between the first and second surfaces of the material.