An apparatus and methods are disclosed to reliably utilise material as close as possible to the end of the primary supply wheel (14) so to minimize the roll waste. An indicator material (16), such as tape, is positioned on the primary and standby supply wheels at a distance from the end of the roll so that a reader, such as a machine vision system (12), can detect the presence or absence of the indicator material (16) on the rolls. If the indicator material (16) is present, the machine vision system (12) will initiate a minimal waste splice logic. If the indicator material (16) is absent, the machine vision system (12) will initiate a standard splice logic.