Abstract: The separation of label tape formed of oriented thermoplastic polymer fibers into individual labels having wash-durable ends, by progressively melting the fibers, in a transverse zone of the tape, beginning at one face of the tape, while also progressively forcing the molten polymer, in a direction diagonally away from this zone and toward the opposite face of the tape, into the interstices between the unmolten fibers and with a portion of the polymer forced along said opposite face, using a heated beveled blade, having a blunt leading edge and chilling the molten polymer at said opposite face with a cold platen opposite the blade, to form a polymer anchor at said opposite face, and anchor the fibers in the polymer which serves as a matrix.