A tape dispenser for applying a strip of a coating composition to a substrate, including a holder containing a supply spool of tape consisting of a carrier ribbon coated on one side with the composition, and a take-up spool for used tape consisting of carrier ribbon from which the composition has been removed. The tape is guided to pass between the supply and take-up spools around an edge of an application tip element used to press the ribbon against the substrate to transfer the composition onto the substrate. The application tip element is coupled to the holder for movement about a predetermined axis substantially aligned with the direction in which the element is pressed against the substrate in use of the dispenser. Frictional forces exerted on the application tip element during movement of the element across the substrate surface cause the element to move about the axis to maintain the edge substantially perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the element across the surface.