Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying swatches to a continuously traveling web, which is usually preprinted, and which is severed into sheets of a predetermined repeat length. When going from one size of repeat length to another size of repeat length, swatch-applying cylinders are profiled to match the cylinder velocity to the web velocity during a swatch application over a first portion of a revolution of the swatch cylinder and then the rotational velocity is changed substantially during a sync recovery portion of the cylinder's revolution. Preferably, the adhesive, which is applied to the web to adhere the swatches, is by an adhesive cylinder which is similarly provided with a matching velocity portion of a revolution and a sync recovery portion at a different velocity. The cutting operation is preferably by a knife cylinder which is also similarly profiled.