The invention relates to a method, to an application head (1), and to a packaging device for producing strapped packages, each of which is made of at least two grouped articles that are held together by means of at least one strapping band. The method has at least the following steps: providing the at least two grouped articles, which are positioned in a movement and/or handling area of an application head (1); and inserting at least one prefabricated closed strapping band into the application head (1), in which the strapping band is fixed in a defined position. The application head (1) has a variable opening width of a cage (50) which can surround the outer surface of the grouped articles. The application head (1) equipped with the at least one strapping band is then lowered over the articles by means of a feed movement which runs approximately parallel to longitudinal central axes of the articles, wherein the cage (50) of the application head (1) contacts the grouped articles on the outer surface thereof and at least slightly compresses the grouped articles. The strapping band is then positioned at a provided position of the articles by lowering the application head (1), which is simultaneously compressing the articles, in a defined manner. The opening width of the cage (50) of the application head (1) is then increased while the at least one strapping band is simultaneously released and removed from its fixed position within the application head (1) and the application head (1) is raised over the strapped article grouping and is removed therefrom.