Abstract: An apparatus and method provides for thermally bonding a textile web while supporting the web continuously from the lay down point until the web is thermally bonded. The apparatus includes a heated transfer roll adjacent an endless moving belt. The transfer roll is located outside the belt loop on the opposite side of the belt from a guide roll. The belt passes around a first portion of the transfer roll with the web sandwiched between the belt and transfer roll. The heated transfer roll heats the web and the web is transferred to the transfer roll. The web is then directed through a nip formed by a calender roll positioned adjacent a second portion of the transfer roll for thermally bonding the web.