Abstract: A supply web of relatively smooth paper toweling is mounted on a dispenser and is directed between rotatable dispensing rolls which have interengaging generally triangular teeth. The dispensing rolls are resiliently urged together with the paper toweling web therebetween and during roll rotation, the teeth compressively abut and foldably deform the relatively smooth paper web into a crimped paper web without appreciable permanent thickness deformation. During the crimping of the paper web by the dispensing rolls and without regard to roll rotation, the paper web is at all times securely retained by the rolls so that after the dispensing of a desired length of the crimped paper web, the web may be cut along a dispenser cutting bar during such roll retention.