Abstract: A decorator controlled by a signal processor for applying heat transfer labels and the like to articles. Servo circuits accept processor commands and direct operation of label feed and transfer elements. A transfer roller moves in a continuously variable manner to follow the contour of the article surface. A position roller precisely matches web movement to article movement, or enables controlled stretching or shrinking of the labels as they are applied to articles. A turret loads, indexes, and unloads articles for label application at two decorating sites. Indexing of the articles takes place as the turret is rotated.