a method of affecting the tail end of a roll of plastic film to render it readily identifiable and easy to grasp and start without tearing the film web into strips . the tail end of the film is embossed on - line as it is separated and about to be wound up on a roll core . the method is accomplished by securing the tail end between a heated surface on the upstream side of a knife on a cut - off roll and a lifting and embossment mechanism to provide a wide embossment across the tail end of the film at about the time it is severed from the film stock . the method produces a novel puckered tail , particularly for highly oriented films where tension is relieved while the tail end is still heated .