An applique (11, 14, 31, 32, 33, 34) having a vulcanizable adhesive layer is co-cured on a rubber article by precuring the applique (11, 14, 31, 32, 33, 34) of predominantly pale natural rubber optionally imprinted with a bar code; coating the upper surface of the applique with a protective self-supporting film of polyamide less than 0.050 mm thick, or a non-self-supporting film of polyurethane less than 25.4 µm thick; adhering the applique (11, 14, 31, 32, 33, 34) to the article at a chosen location; curing the article in a curing mold; and, removing a cured article from the mold with the protective film adhering to the surface of the applique (11, 14, 31, 32,33, 34), the surface of which is essentially free from visually observable cracks. The hot flow of rubber in the curing mold does not substantially change the location of the applique which is embedded in the article.