Abstract: A reinforced film of a laminate construction is thermally adhered to an edge of a web of paper stock in preparation for forming a reinforced edge of a file folder. The film has two layers, each having different characteristics, where the bottom layer becomes thermally active as an adhesive at a temperature substantially lower than the activation temperature of the other layer. The film is applied by directly heating the top layer to a temperature which in turn heats the bottom layer to a temperature where it acts as an adhesive. The layers can include a printed surface intermediate the film which is visible through the top layer or the layers can include an appropriate pigment to color code the edge of the folder. The apparatus can be added to existing file folder machines to apply the film without the need for sophisticated controls to tie the apparatus to the operation of the file folder machine.