Correction of loosely wound label rolls

In one aspect, a method of correcting a loosely wound supply roll to be used with a label applying machine is described. The method includes providing a supply roll having a material web wound thereon, the supply roll mounted on a supply roll spindle such that the material web is aligned with an intake of a labeling mechanism on the label applying machine. The method further includes mounting a moveable web guide to apply pressure to the material web being supplied to the labeling mechanism, wherein the web guide includes an encoder. The method further includes determining the tension of the material web wound around the supply roll using the movable web guide and the encoder. Further still, the method includes adjusting the tension of the material web wound around the supply roll if the material web is determined to be too loosely wound about the supply roll to provide adequate tension to the web as the web leaves the supply roll.