Abstract: A printing method and composition that is constructed from an electrostatically charged sheet having a top and bottom surface and a backing sheet. The backing sheet includes a sheet of paper having top and bottom surfaces. The top surface includes a binding material preferably having a dielectric constant greater than that of the paper. The top surface of the backing sheet is in contact with the bottom surface of the electrostatically charged sheet and retained by an attractive force. The binding material is preferably chosen to provide an electrostatic attraction between the electrostatically charged sheet and the backing sheet of approximately between 4 g/inch and 80 g/inch. The charged sheet can be constructed from plastic polymers, while the binding material can be constructed from a mixture of polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyurethane.

Abstract: A printing composition constructed from a printing layer and a blotting layer. The printing layer has a plurality of pores connecting the top and bottom surfaces thereof and is adapted for accepting ink that is retained in the pores. The blotting layer has a top surface that is in contact with the bottom surface of the printing layer. The blotting layer is constructed from a material that has an affinity for the ink that is less than that required to remove the ink from the pores if the pores are not filled with the ink. The printing layer may be constructed from a plastic that has been coated with a surfactant that renders the sides of the pores hydrophilic. The blotting layer may be constructed from a sheet of plastic having pores therein. The blotting layer may also be constructed from a sheet of paper. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing layer is an electret.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a web. The apparatus includes a charging electrode disposed on one side of the web and an insulating roller for supporting the web. The insulating roller is disposed on the other side of the web and is in contact with the web. A discharging electrode is provided in contact with the insulating roller for removing charge from a surface of the insulating roller as the roller rotates. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the charging electrode is held at a first constant potential, and the discharge electrode is held at a second constant potential.