A document inserter system having an improved control system is disclosed. The system includes a sheet inserter system and one or more web modules (e.g. 20-1) for receiving a web of forms, scanning the forms for information, storing and retransmitting the information, separating the web into discrete forms and feeding the forms for further processing. The information includes control informations scanned from a control document for controlling formation of a batch of forms associated with that control document. The control system includes a supervisory control processor (110) which receives the control information and controls the sheet inserter system and the web modules in accordance therewith. The system also includes web control processor systems (e.g. 20-1 c) for direct control of each web module, which web control processor systems are responsive to the supervisory control processor (110). The system is controlled in accordance with a prespecified configuration which defines the document type for each web module. An operator input (120) is provided whereby an operator may specify a configuration for a mailing. In one embodiment the configuration is specified by interactive selection from a menu displayed by the supervisory control processor. A system and method for orderly shut-down and restart of the inserter system are also disclosed.