Abstract: Adhesive-backed graphite foil rings (62,64) are suited to forming a seal between a metal gasket plate (12) and adjacent pipe flanges (40, 42). To form the rings, a thin layer of adhesive (74) is applied in the form of a coating to a flexible graphite sheet (70). A release liner (80) may be applied over the adhesive layer. The rings (62,64) are cut from the adhesive coated flexible graphite sheet. In one method, the rings are die cut while leaving the release liner intact. After removal of extraneous material, a plurality of the rings remain attached to the release liner and can be peeled away from the liner as needed. In another method, a central cut-out portion (102) from a large adhesive-backed ring is later used to form a smaller adhesive-backed ring.