Abstract: In an apparatus for vacuum web coating, an evaporation means has a plurality of separately spaced outlet nozzles through which vapour is conveyed to a deposition zone at the surface of a chilled rotatable drum in a vacuum chamber over which drum the substrate web is advanced by a web transport system. The outlet nozzle arrangement advantageously comprises a plurality of linear slots disposed transversely to the web substrate path to deliver vapour at positions disposed sequentially in the direction of the web substrate advance, the nozzle outlets being disposed on an arcuate surface around, but spaced from, the curved surface of the rotatable drum. The apparatus is particularly suitable for applying thick coatings of material such as metal on paper or plastic films.