A low cost, low complexity method and apparatus for improved productivity and reducing operator induced shut-downs when feeding multiple jobs of different media type, but the same size, from a single sheet tray includes providing media identification divider sheets that contain patterns of either simple bars or punched holes with the divider sheets loaded into the sheet supply tray on top of their corresponding sheet stack except the first one; providing a digital sensor that reads each media identification divider sheet pattern; and feeding media for the first job. When the first job is complete, remaining sheets for that job can be fed (optionally at high speed) to a purge tray. Media divider sheets for each successive job after the first job are sent to the purge tray for reuse later.