A method of applying a coating to one face of a selected first sub-group of parallel strips , the selected first sub-group of parallel strips comprising at least two parallel strips and being selected from a plurality of parallel strips advanced in a side by side relationship from a first support member to a second support member , at least two strips of said plurality of parallel strips not belonging to said selected first sub-group of parallel strips forming a second sub-group of parallel strips, the method characterized by comprising: - advancing the selected first sub-group of parallel strips along a first path between the first and second support members, said first path extending from a first point , being located adjacent to the first support member and at a first distance ( R ) from a longitudinal axis (LA) of the first support member , to a second point , being located adjacent to the second support member ; - simultaneously therewith advancing the second sub-group of parallel strips along a second path between the first and second support members, said second path extending from a third point , being located adjacent to the first support member and at a second distance ( r ) from said longitudinal axis (LA) of the first support member , said second distance ( r ) being shorter than said first distance ( R ), to a fourth point adjacent to the second support member ; and - applying the coating by means of a coating device being in coating contact with the selected first sub-group of parallel strips passing the first support member at the first distance ( R ) to coat one side of the strips of the selected first sub-group of parallel strips, while the strips of the second sub-group of parallel strips simultaneously passing the first support member at the second distance ( r ) being out of reach of the coating device and remaining uncoated. - advancing the selected first sub-group of parallel strips along a first path between the first and second support members, said first path extending from a first point , being located adjacent to the first support member and at a first distance ( R ) from a longitudinal axis (LA) of the first support member , to a second point , being located adjacent to the second support member ; - simultaneously therewith advancing the second sub-group of parallel strips along a second path between the first and second support members, said second path extending from a third point , being located adjacent to the first support member and at a second distance ( r ) from said longitudinal axis (LA) of the first support member , said second distance ( r ) being shorter than said first distance ( R ), to a fourth point adjacent to the second support member ; and - applying the coating by means of a coating device being in coating contact with the selected first sub-group of parallel strips passing the first support member at the first distance ( R ) to coat one side of the strips of the selected first sub-group of parallel strips, while the strips of the second sub-group of parallel strips simultaneously passing the first support member at the second distance ( r ) being out of reach of the coating device and remaining uncoated. <EOS>