A labeling machine of the turret and vacuum drum type in which the vacuum drum (23) is formed with one or more arcuate segments (26) in its surface generally concentric to the vacuum drum but including a leading section (30) and a trailing section (31) which apply pressure to the leading and trailing ends of the label to adhere them to the containers (I, II) and a mid-section (32) between the leading and trailing sections, which is so shaped and configured that it is in physical contact with a label on the container or is so close to the container that the label has no substantial freedom of movement apart from its movement with the vacuum drum and its orbital movement and its winding around the container. <IMAGE>
