Abstract: An external media transport buffer has a carriage supported for linear motion on parallel guide rails between an imagesetter and a processor. A pair of transport rollers is mounted for rotation on the carriage. Two sensors are mounted within the buffer to detect media movement. A first sensor is positioned at an entrance to the buffer and a second sensor is positioned on the carriage on an exit side of the transport rollers. Signals are sent from the sensors to a roller transport motor and carriage transport motor and the signals are coordinated to start and stop the motors according to a predetermined sequence. A leading end of media enters the nip of the transport rollers and is held in the nip as the carriage travels from the imagesetter to the processor. A slack loop of media forms between the carriage and the imagesetter as the imagesetter feeds the media to the buffer faster than the carriage travels to the processor.