Abstract: A portable electrical labeling machine is capable of printing and dispensing labels automatically. A driving device engages label-carrying tape that is transparent to infra-red rays, drawing the tape past a photocell and a printing stamp. The photocell detects the presence of a label on the tape such that when a label is adjacent the photocell, the stamp and driving device are activated. The printing stamp and driving device are deactivate when the photocell detects a gap between adjacent labels.