A method and apparatus for transfer printing a toner image from an image forming surface to the surface of a recording sheet by means of a transfer printing member electrically charged to have the same polarity as the electrostatic latent image on the image forming surface. The recording sheet is initially engaged with the image forming surface before engaging the transfer printing member, and then is fed to the transfer printing station while pressed against the image forming surface with a low pressure by the transfer printing member to effect a toner image transfer printing. The recording sheet is subsequently separated from the image forming surface while being electrostatically supported by the transfer printing member.