A thermal electrostatic ink-jet recording apparatus includes an orifice for storing and jetting ink. The orifice is formed between first and second plate members and a longitudinal array of heating elements is formed on one of the plate members and is covered by an insulating layer. An electrically conductive layer is formed either on the insulating layer or the other plate member and cooperates with a counter electrode supporting a recording medium to apply an electrostatic field to ink in the orifice. The electrically conductive layer includes a central portion that extends substantially to the egress of the orifice in the area where ink is contained in the orifice and peripheral portions on either side of the orifice that are not in contact with the ink and that are spaced substantially away from the egress of the orifice. The spacing of the peripheral portion away from the egress of the orifice prevents a gas discharge phenomenon that induces instability in ink jetting.