Electrostatographic apparatus comprising an imaging surface with an electrostatic transfer evice to transfer toner particles to a receiving sheet and an apparatus to detack the sheet from the drum comprising a plurality of conductive fibers extending cross the rear side of the receiving sheet which are spaced from the sheet and have applied thereto a low voltage direct current potential of a polarity opposite the polarity on the receiving sheet and sufficient to cause air breakdown between the receiving sheet and the end of the fibers to provie a controlled neutralization of charge on the receiving sheet to a potential level above zero and thereby separate the receiving sheet from the drum by virtue of its own weight and beam strength.