An apparatus (100) and method are provided for wetting a continuous web (20). An apparatus (100) according to the present invention includes a dwell surface (103) adapted to receive a traveling web (20) and a fluid chamber in fluid communication with such traveling web. The fluid chamber (104) is coupled to a fluid source. Fluid from the fluid chamber is applied to the web and the web is drawn across the dwell surface (103). The web (20) may be drawn away from the dwell surface (103) at an angle that may be adjustable. Alternatively, an embodiment of the apparatus includes a plurality of dwell surfaces (103), one of which may be selectively engaged with the traveling web (20). A method according to the present invention involves the steps of providing a continuous web, applying a fluid to the web and drawing the web across a dwell surface (103).