An apparatus and method for assembling, dispensing and using a laminated paper web transfer tape, an embodiment of the apparatus having a pair of transfer tape spools enclosed within a housing, one transfer tape spool containing a first tape component of the laminated transfer tape and the other transfer tape spool containing a second tape component of the laminated transfer tape, the first tape component being the combination of a substrate having adhesive on both sides and a release liner, the second tape component being a cover flap member having a release coating over at least a majority of one side. The components are unwound from the spools and pressed together such that they become joined along a longitudinal edge strip, then dispensed from the housing. The cover flap member covers one of the adhesive sides of the transfer tape substrate until the moment just prior to transfer of a continuous paper web from a full web spool to an empty web spool, the cover flap member being opened to expose the adhesive by air pressure or resistance.