To improve a direct printing method and to satisfy the necessity of executing printing with high quality by changing each control signal, in correlation with the specific position of a control electrode to which the control signals are supplied.

A printing zone includes a toner carrier 1 such as a rotary developer sleeve, coated with a thin layer of toner grains uniformly electrified and carried to a position adjacent to a rear electrode 2. The electrode 2 is connected to a rear electrode voltage source VBE. A uniform electric field is generated between a high potential on the rear electrode 2 and a low potential on the grain carrier 1, to apply attracting electric force to the toner grains. A grain receiving information carrier 3 is moved in the direction of an arrow 4, to cross the printing zone between the rear electrode 2 and the grain carrier 1. A control electrode array 5 placed between the grain carrier 1 and the information carrier 3 controls the stream 6 of the toner grains carried toward the information carrier 3.