the invention relates to an applicator for direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty coating medium onto a traveling material web , notably of paper or cardboard , including at least one adjustable coating edge delimiting apparatus for adjustment of a coating width on an applicator roll , backing roll and / or a traveling material web . the coating edge delimiting apparatus is arranged so as to be movable stepwise or continuously in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the material web .