A staple cartridge assembly is disclosed which comprises staples formed from one or more sheets of material. The staples are removably stored in a cartridge body comprising a deck configured to support the tissue of a patient. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises a sled configured to sequentially engage the staples and lift the staples between unfired and fired positions. The staples comprise a tissue engaging surface which is deployed above the deck when the staples are moved into their fired positions.