An apparatus and method designed to eliminate dog-earring of the comers of the open edges of a folded signature or book without the need for the use of electrostatic adherence. A guide mechanism is provided between a tape drive, a divert cylinder and/or a deceleration drum. The guide mechanism is preferably located at the position of the open edges of the signature which is being transferred. The guide mechanism is preferably of a width which accommodates variations in the folded width of the folded signature or books. The guide mechanism includes a series of narrow slots, or micro-slots, across its width. The gripping devices which are located in the area of the guide mechanism include a series of narrow fingers, or micro-fingers, across their width. The micro-fingers of the gripping mechanisms are designed to pass through the micro-slots of the guide mechanism. The guide mechanism constrains movement of the open edge of the folded signature away from the transfer mechanism across any gap between transfer mechanisms, thereby preventing dog-earring of the open edges of the folded signatures or books as they are transferred between transfer mechanisms.