Adjustable matte for handling sheets in printing press and method of using same

An apparatus (130) is disclosed for facilitating handling of sheets in a sheet-fed printing press as they are passed between a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The apparatus (130) comprises an outer surface of the first cylinder (100) having a plurality of grooves (400;520) extending substantially along a circumference of the first cylinder (100), the plurality of grooves (400;520) having at least a first edge (530) and a second edge (531) in the outer surface of the first cylinder (100) defining outer peripheries of the plurality of grooves (400;520), the first and second edges (530,531) being spaced along a long axis of the first cylinder (100). The apparatus comprises further a pliable membrane (500) arranged on the first cylinder (100) and sealingly attached to the outer surface of the first cylinder (100) at least at the outer peripheries of the plurality of grooves (400;520), wherein a plurality of sealed cavities (610) for receiving a quantity of fluid are formed by the plurality of grooves (400;520) and by portions of the pliable membrane (500) which sealingly enclose the plurality of grooves (400;520) for cushioning sheets of printed material (120;121) as they are passed between the first and second cylinders (100;105). A method of forming such an apparatus (130) is also disclosed.