Abstract: A patch applicator for easy application of a transdermal patch, especially a small transdermal patch of size 20 cm.sup.2 or less. The patch applicator includes a bottom release liner, a transdermal patch releaseably attached to the bottom release liner, and a top release liner releasably attached to the transdermal patch. The top release liner has a first tab which extends beyond an end margin of the transdermal patch, so that a patch user may easily grasp the tab and remove the top release liner and patch from the lower release liner. The patch is then applied to the skin or mucosa A second tab of the top release liner preferably also extends beyond an end margin of the patch so that the top release liner may be easily removed from the patch after the patch has been applied to the skin or mucosa. Alternatively, the first and second tabs are removed from the patch by peeling back the tabs from a slit between the tabs.