electrostatic process
(also electrostatography), n.
A technique for making reproductions, often called photocopies, by using charged pigments to create an image of the original on paper or film.
Notes
The electrostatic process uses the photoelectric properties of certain metals. An image of the original is projected onto a light-sensitive substance, creating a charge relative to the light and dark portions of the original. The charge on the surface attracts or repels toner, a charged pigment, that duplicates the original. In a direct positive, the image is formed directly on paper or film. In an indirect process, the image is formed on a metallic drum that is then transferred to paper or film.Sometimes called xerography, derived from the tradename Xerox.
