A method and an apparatus are for applying a rotationally driven pressure roller (4) onto a rotationally driven goods guiding roller (3) in stretching equipment for thermoplastic films. The pressure roller (4) is advanced in the direction of the goods guiding roller (3) by at least one first pressurizable piston-cylinder unit (7) in such a manner so that after the advancement an axis-parallel remaining stroke exists between the pressure roller (4) and the goods guiding roller (3). Then at least one second pressurizable piston-cylinder unit (8) operatively connected with the first piston-cylinder unit (7) carries out the remaining stroke, while maintaining the axis-parallelism, until a touching contact exists between the pressure roller (4) and the goods guiding roller (3). Then the pressure roller (4) becomes effective with a nominal pressing force onto the goods guiding roller (3).