Method and apparatus for separating sheets emerging from a printer

A passive wet paper handling system for use, preferably, with an ink jet printer. The wet paper handling system includes an edge separator extending generally upward from an output platform of the printer and inclined away from a printer paper exit slot for deflecting the leading edge of a wet media generally upward as the media exits the printer. A pair of deflector wings are also mounted on the output platform extending generally upward from the output platform and inclined away from the paper exit slot. The deflector wings are spaced apart from the paper exit slot so that the leading edge of the media first contacts the edge separator and then contacts the deflector wings. A respective one of the deflector wings are disposed to each side of the edge separator, for contacting and deflecting corresponding lateral edges of the media generally upward so as to impart a bowed shape to stiffen the media and thereby maintain it spaced above a previously printed media at least until the trailing edge emerges from the paper exit slot.