A hardcopy apparatus includes a media holddown unit, having a platen, and a
vacuum source for generating negative pressure on a medium positioned on
said platen to keep it flat on said platen. The unit includes at least two
vacuum chambers, both in air communication with the vacuum source. Each of
the vacuum chambers can apply a negative pressure to a different portion
of the medium positioned on a corresponding different region of the
platen. A method for holding down a medium when placed on said platen.
First the vacuum source is placed into independent air communication with
a number of distinct regions of the platen, then the medium is positioned
to cover one or more regions of the platen, and finally a negative
pressure is applied to the back of the medium via the independent air
communication.