Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying an adhesive laminate to a plate are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a cylindrical drum having a circular periphery of a porous material, a connection for applying a vacuum to the interior of the drum, and a laminate supplying assembly to supply an adhesive laminate, adhesive side outward, to the periphery of the drum where it is securely retained in place by the vacuum. A cutter assembly cuts the laminate into a segment having a desired length which is then positioned in place by a rotation of the drum. A walking beam conveyor conveys individual plates onto a vertically movable platform located at an operating station. The platform is then raised to contact an end of the plate with an end of the positioned laminate segment and then is lowered to an intermediate position so as to remove only the end of the segment adhering to the plate from the drum. A roller assembly then rolls the laminate segment onto the plate.