Abstract: An electrostatic recording system having a drum 1 carrying a positively charged latent image 14, and a negatively charged cylindrical sleeve 10 having depressions 10a or other ink holding means on its outer surface. The sleeve is rotated into a tank 11 holding an electrically conducting ink 12 which is picked up in the depressions. The sleeve and drum are counter-rotating at different velocities and approach a narrow gap at which point the negatively charged ink is attracted to the positively charged image. Thereafter the inked image is transferred to a sheet of paper and the drum is cleaned and discharged.