Abstract: A label separating mechanism separates labels from a web of release liner upon which the labels are carried. The separating mechanism includes a separator bar, a guide bar, and two support members that hold the bars. The first support member has a "J"-shaped slot and the second support member has a flared mounting hole. One end of the guide bar slides in the slot between a first position and a second position. The other end of the guide bar pivots in the flared hole as the first end slides in the slot. The separator bar is fixed. When the guide bar is in the first position, the two bars define a label release path. When the guide bar is in the second position, a gap is formed to facilitate threading of the web between the bars.