A method and machine for wrapping an article, whereby the article is fed through a feed station, where the article is applied with a respective sheet of wrapping material which is folded into an L about the article, so as to have a free edge not contacting the article, and through a follow-up wrapping station, where the sheet of wrapping material is folded about the article to form a tubular wrapping by applying the free edge onto the article; between the feed station and the wrapping station, the free edge of the L-folded sheet of wrapping material is subjected to traction in substantially the opposite direction to the travelling direction of the article by subjecting the first free edge to suction, so as to smooth the sheet of wrapping material onto the article.