A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members, and a primary overlay layer applied to one or more of the plurality of tension members or at least a portion of the jacket material. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car movable therein, and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The belt includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a belt length, a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members, and a primary overlay layer applied to one or more of the plurality of tension members or at least a portion of the jacket material.