A decurling method and the associated apparatus are usable with a printing system or the like incorporating a series of stations for performing operations upon a web as the web is advanced in predetermined registered relationship with the stations. An elongated decurling member over which the web is drawn imparts to the web a tendency to curl which compensates for an objectionable curl tendency imparted to the web by the system or curl tendency previously existing in the web. The relative positions of the web and the decurling member are adjustable in a manner which produces change in the magnitude of the compensating curl tendency imparted to the web without influencing the path length of the web.