A label for a glass container (1) is preprinted with inks (20) and adhesive (40) on a separable substrate (10) and cured, and the printed label is then transferred to the container (1). The labelled container is then coated with a protective material. The label application apparatus includes a mechanism (106) for indexing the label web (112) in such a manner as to minimize starting and stopping of the supply and take-up reels (116, 150) when labels are applied to plural containers (1) simultaneously.