The weld-induced deformation is more serious in thin plates than in thick plates because heat affect zone of thin plates is wider than that of thick plates and in addition internal and external constraints have much more influence upon weld-induced deformation of thin plates. This paper deals with the application of the mechanical tensioning method to butt weld of thin plates to reduce the transverse and longitudinal deformation. In order to investigate the quantitative effect of tensioning method upon the reduction of angular deformation and shrinkage in longitudinal and transverse direction of weld line, butt welding test has been carried out for several thin plate specimens with varying plate thickness and magnitude of tensile load. From the present experimental study, it has been found that the tensioning method is very effective in reducing the weld-induced residual stress as well as the weld-induced deformation.