A system and apparatus are provided for adhering steering ribs to an intermediate transfer belt (ITB). These steering ribs (one or more) are applied to the ITB by placing the rib material around a cylindrical fixture. The rib material is held in place by a vacuum that is applied to the rib material to hold it against the fixture. An ITB may be separately held in place on the fixture by another vacuum until the rib material is adhered to the inside surface of the ITB through application of compressed air to force the rib material outward against the ITB. Once the rib material is adhered to the ITB, a series of apertures directs compressed air against the rib and the ITB to release them from the fixture.