Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the formation of "dog-ears" or folded corners in material handled by sheet material handling machines such as folders for printing presses in which material such as paper is secured to a rotating cylinder near a leading edge, which includes providing a projection on the cylinder which deflects air flow away from the material leading edge so as to reduce the tendency for the material to lift from the cylinder. In order to pass through the cylinder nip, the projection may be constructed of compressible resilient material such as foam rubber or may be deflectable upon contact with an opposing cylinder.