a laminar air flow passageway through which ink droplets are directed before striking a moving print medium , having a portion of the passageway contoured to expand toward the print medium for slowing a column of air passing therethrough before the column reaches the document . air suction apertures located in the expanded portion of the passageway and near the print medium provide withdrawal of the airflow to prevent air buildup at the document interface and to maintain laminarity as the air slows . a separate embodiment includes a single air suction aperture located in the upper portion of a gently expanding air passsageway for airflow withdrawal .