Abstract: Application of heat transfer labels to articles. A roller having a smooth elastomeric coating turns against a moving web. The web carries heated labels which are transferred to the roller. The roller, with a transferred label thereon, turns against a moving article, and transfers the label to same. The elastomeric coating conforms to the article surface.

Abstract: A label carrier web transport for use in heat transfer decorators and the like, in which labels are optically registered to control web transport. A timing assembly coordinates the rotation of a cam shaft with the actuation and deactuation of clutch and brake assemblies within a metering roll. An optical scanner trained on the web registers a predetermined contrast location to actuate the brake and deactuate the clutch, subject to the presence of an enabling signal from the timing assembly. The metering roll, in combination with a reciprocating label shuttle, provides intermittent web motion to achieve controlled label advance.