Abstract: A high speed can decorator includes an infeed section having a rotating pocket wheel which receives cans from the downstream end of a chute wherein the cans arranged side by side. While being carried by the pocket wheel to a transfer region where these cans are moved axially from peripheral pockets of the pocket wheel to be received by mandrels that are mounted on a rotating mandrel wheel that is coaxial with the pocket wheel. Immediately after a can is seated within a pocket wheel, a suction force is applied to the side of the can to fully seat and stabilize same in the pocket. This suction force is applied until the can reaches the transfer region.