An apparatus and method for transporting substrate media including a nip assembly having a drive wheel operably connected to a drive mechanism for rotating the drive wheel, and an idler member disposed adjacent the drive wheel. The idler wheel and drive wheel forming a nip. The drive wheel and idler wheel are displaceable from each other to form a nip gap therebetween. A nip force generator is operably connected to the nip assembly. The nip force generator develops a first nip force upon entry of the substrate media into the nip and formation of the nip gap and develops a second nip force subsequent to the first nip force. The second nip force is greater than the first nip force.