Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for applying tape to a panel such as a rectangular pane of glass. Tape is dispensed from a tape applicator and applied to a panel proximate the perimeter of the panel by moving the tape applicator along a path corresponding generally to the perimeter of the panel. Successive tape corners are formed by cutting a notch into a portion of the tape which is applied to form the tape corners. The notch is formed so that when a tape corner is formed on the panel the notch reduces an amount of bunched tape material located at the tape corner thereby producing a relatively flat corner. The final tape corner is formed by substantially severing the tape at a select location and continuing to move the tape applicator while preventing feeding of the tape to cause separation of the tape so that the separated tape end abuts the initially applied tape portion of the tape on the panel.