A process for tipping surgical sutures includes dispensing tipping agent one drop at a time and contacting the suture portion to be tipped with the drop of tipping agent. A transversely oriented lifting/wiping string may be used to lift the suture into contact with the drop and may wipe away excess tipping agent. Alternatively, a transversely oriented string may be used to catch a drop and then place the drop onto the suture. The tipping agent absorbed into the tipped portion can then be cured and cut to provide a tipped suture. The tipping process and apparatus can be used in conjunction with a needle-suture assembly process. The process advantageously controls application of a droplet of tipping agent to minimize the amount of tipping agent used, thereby providing an aesthetic needle-suture attachment. Apparatus are disclosed for performing the process.