A printing system sheet feeder apparatus and method is provided. The printing system feeder includes a front nudger roll positioned near the leading edge of the top sheet of a sheet stack and the front nudger roll is capable of advancing the top sheet. In addition, the printing system sheet feeder includes a separation nip aligned with the front nudger roll, the front nudger roll being capable of receiving the top sheet advanced by the front nudger roll and advancing the top sheet in a direction away from the front nudger. A rear nudger roll is positioned near the trailing edge of the top sheet and is capable of advancing the sheet directly below the top sheet while the top sheet is being advanced by the front nudger roll and/or separation nip, thereby increasing the overall sheet feeding rate to the printing system.