A release liner staging unit for depositing a release liner onto an adhesive layer. The unit includes an accumulator that creates a buffer between an amount of release liner supplied and an amount needed for covering a layer of adhesive. The tendency of release liner placed within the accumulator to settle allows additional release liner to be introduced, thereby producing a slightly saturated level of release liner in the accumulator. Time delays can be accounted for to reduce the number of times a drive mechanism needs to operate, thereby reducing wear on such componentry. The unit may also form part of a larger release liner application device and adhesive application system.