Apparatus for the application of surface treatments on articles, including: a plurality of workpiece-holding spindles , each configured to engage an article being processed; a plurality of trays , each arranged to removably engage a plurality of said spindles ; a feeding line carrying devices for moving said trays , and extending along a feeding path (P); a painting module operatively connected with the feeding line for painting the articles carried by the spindles ; a transfer assembly operating on the spindles to pick them up from the trays on the feeding path (P); characterized by further comprising: a decoration module carrying a handler of said spindles , the feeding path (P) passing near the decoration module ; at least one treatment unit operating along the decoration module to apply a decorative treatment to the articles carried by the spindles ; wherein the transfer assembly comprises: a first manipulator configured to simultaneously pick up a plurality of spindles from one of said trays ; a continuous conveyor configured to receive the spindles from the first manipulator ; a second manipulator configured to individually transfer the spindles from the continuous conveyor to the decoration module . a plurality of workpiece-holding spindles , each configured to engage an article being processed; a plurality of trays , each arranged to removably engage a plurality of said spindles ; a feeding line carrying devices for moving said trays , and extending along a feeding path (P); a painting module operatively connected with the feeding line for painting the articles carried by the spindles ; a transfer assembly operating on the spindles to pick them up from the trays on the feeding path (P); characterized by further comprising: a decoration module carrying a handler of said spindles , the feeding path (P) passing near the decoration module ; at least one treatment unit operating along the decoration module to apply a decorative treatment to the articles carried by the spindles ; wherein the transfer assembly comprises: a first manipulator configured to simultaneously pick up a plurality of spindles from one of said trays ; a continuous conveyor configured to receive the spindles from the first manipulator ; a second manipulator configured to individually transfer the spindles from the continuous conveyor to the decoration module . a decoration module carrying a handler of said spindles , the feeding path (P) passing near the decoration module ; at least one treatment unit operating along the decoration module to apply a decorative treatment to the articles carried by the spindles ; wherein the transfer assembly comprises: a first manipulator configured to simultaneously pick up a plurality of spindles from one of said trays ; a continuous conveyor configured to receive the spindles from the first manipulator ; a second manipulator configured to individually transfer the spindles from the continuous conveyor to the decoration module . a first manipulator configured to simultaneously pick up a plurality of spindles from one of said trays ; a continuous conveyor configured to receive the spindles from the first manipulator ; a second manipulator configured to individually transfer the spindles from the continuous conveyor to the decoration module . <EOS>