An apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer (8) and folding sealing apparatus (6) controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus (6) combines sheets printed by the laser printer (5) with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer (5) or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor (1) into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus (6). The controller controls devices comprised in the laser printer (5) and the folder sealer (6) by executing state routines in accordance with the data structure to produce the mail piece in the defined configuration. Concurrently the data processor (1) transmits text from an output file to the laser printer (5) for printing on printed sheets and envelope forms. The data processor (1) also controls the laser printer (5) to print an address for the mail piece either on an envelope form or on a printed sheet in a position where it will be visible through the envelope. Thus the apparatus is controlled to process an output file stored in the data processor (1) into a mail run having a selected configuration. A mechanism and method for laterally aligning an accumulation of sheets is also disclosed, together with a cantilever support for the aligning mechanism.