A film and a method of applying the film to a handrail of an escalator or moving walkway are provided. The film can be a single or double layered film. Printed matter, e.g. advertising, can be applied to or between the films. An apparatus and related method for applying the film are also included and rely on the motion of the handrail to unroll a supply of the film, with one or more rollers pressing the film onto the handrail. The film is stretched during application to prestretch and reduce tendency for compressive strains in use to cause wrinkling of the film and detachment from the handrail. To retain the ends of the film in relative position, a film cap is fused or bonded to end portions of the film.