Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

friction feed
     
         A method some {printers} and {plotters} use to move
        paper by rotating one or both of a pair of spring-loaded
        rubber-coated rollers with the paper sandwiched between them.
     
        Friction feed printers are notorious for slipping when the
        rollers wear out, but can take standard typing paper.
     
        For printers with a {sheet feeder}, friction feed is more
        appropriate than {sprocket feed} which requires the holes in
        the paper to engage with the sprockets of the feed mechanism.
     
        (1997-07-09)