A system and method prints on a continuous web of imaging material in a printing machine. One or more inkjet printheads deposit ink on the continuous web of imaging material which is supported by rollers along a transport path. An air film device is disposed between rollers to stabilize flatness the transported web during printing. Undesirable dynamic movement of the web toward or away from the printheads resulting from fluttering, troughing or catenary sag of the web is reduced to minimize drop placement error in both cross-track and process directions.