tape 14 positioned with an edge face 16 in contact with the conveyor 26 to pass between the applicator roller 18 and the conveyor 26 as the conveyor 26 moves it transports a roll of tape 14 to the applicator roller 18 as the leading edge of the roll of tape 14 enters the coating station 54 the applicator roller 18 contacts the edge face 16 and transfers a layer 12 of coating composition 24 to the edge face 16 the rotation of the applicator roller 18 in a counter clockwise direction provides fresh coating composition 24 to the edge face 16 as it travels through the coating station 54 the liquid composition 24 is applied to the edge face 16 at a predetermined coating weight to provide a coating thickness u201c x u201d on the roll of tape suitable coating weights will vary depending upon factors related to the roll of tape including e g the composition of the adhesive the coating weight of the adhesive and the backing of the roll of tape and the surface variations on the edge face of the roll of tape the apparatus 10 is capable of applying the liquid composition 24 to the edge face 16 without applying the composition to the interior of the central cylinder 32 or the major surface of the exposed backing 30 of the roll of tape 14 suitable applicator roller materials are.