Abstract: The invention is an improved dispenser for a transfer adhesive. The adhesive is called a "transfer" adhesive because it is separated from its backing material and transferred onto a working surface, without the backing. The adhesive and backing are initially formed on a tape which is threaded from a supply reel, and around a tape roller, the spent backing being wound on a take-up reel. The adhesive is applied by rolling the tape roller along the working surface. In the present invention, the tape roller is attached to a lever, which can assume two positions. In the first position, the lever prevents the supply reel from rotating. In the second position, the lever allows the supply reel to rotate. The lever is spring-biased so that it is normally in the first position. When the tape roller is pressed against the working surface, so as to apply the adhesive, the lever shifts to the second position.