Pivoting label applicator and method for using same

A label affixer shoe, having an application blade with an edge, a first surface, and second surface, and a pivot. The shoe pivots between first and second orientations. The first surface, edge, said second surface separate a label from a liner when the label and liner are moved from the first surface of the shoe past the edge toward the second surface. The shoe may be incorporated into an affixer carriage, also including a pivot actuator. The shoe may be incorporated into an affixer module, with a translation actuator, a card feed mechanism, and a label feed mechanism. When the blade is in the first orientation, the shoe does not obstruct the feeding of the card to or from the label receiving position. The translation of the shoe from the first position to the second position while the blade is in the second orientation applies the label to the card.