An image development method and apparatus, wherein a support member (12) is provided with a layer (58) of marking material thereon, and an electrostatic latent image is created in the layer of marking material via image-wise charging of the layer of marking material by a selectively controllable charging device (60) for directing a charge stream toward the support member (12) having the layer (58) of marking material coated thereon. The image-wise charge stream corresponds to the latent image, which, in turn, leads to image-wise charging of the toner layer (58), such that the toner layer itself becomes the latent image carrier. The latent image carrying toner layer is subsequently developed and transferred to a copy substrate (70) to produce an output document.