A machine for single or double sided application of a liquid or viscous coating medium by way of at least one applicator unit onto the surface of a mating material web, especially a paper or cardboard web. A medium collecting device that is allocated to the applicator unit or to a dispensing component of the applicator unit which includes the dispensing openings, is equipped with a receiving and release component which is allocated to the medium collecting device and which is or can be mounted detachably on same. During the start of the application process the component releases the curtain or veil due to a common adjustment with the medium collecting device or of a section component of same relative to the curtain or veil from a rim extending across the moving background or from an edge extending across the moving background.