there is disclosed an adjustable pressure roller assembly for use in a paper feeding machine having a paper feed path and a feed roller for feeding various paper items , such as envelopes , single sheets , a plurality of layered sheets , etc . along the feed path . the pressure roller assembly has a back up pressure roller disposed on the opposite side of the feed path in juxtaposition to the feed roller of the paper feeding machine . there is structure for mounting the pressure roller for movement toward and away from the feed roller to vary the amount of pressure exerted by the pressure roller against a paper item disposed between the pressure roller and the feed roller . an actuating assembly is provided for controlling the direction and extent of movement of the pressuer roller so that the pressure roller and feed roller can accommodate a wide variety of thicknesses , types and grades of paper without risk of mutilating or misfeeding the paper .