An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device having a leading end; a trailing end; and a plurality of longitudinal surfaces extending between the leading end and the trailing end. Each longitudinal surface of the plurality has a leading edge adjacent the leading end and a trailing edge adjacent the trailing end. At least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge is configured as a clearance edge that enables the at least one longitudinal surface to clear a wall of a feed chute as the at least one longitudinal surface progresses through the feed chute.