Abstract: Tags are removed from a hopper one at a time and transported by a moveable carriage, carrying a rotatable vacuum arm with a suction cup, onto a tag support platform. The arm moves the tag through an arcuate path section to a plane parallel to the plane of the support platform and then through a linear path section into alignment with the support platform. The tag is clamped to the top surface of the tag support platform. The article to be tagged is placed between the undersurface of the tag support platform and an anvil. The anvil moves up to hold the article against the underside of the tag support platform. The fastener dispensing device is moved toward the tag support platform such that the needle passes through an opening in the tag and penetrates the article. The fastener is ejected to attach the tag to the article. The hopper is independently position adjustable horizontally and vertically. A laser facilitates positioning of the hopper.