Apparatus for producing a print on a recording medium includes a printhead providing drops of hydrophilic liquid. A hydrophobic drop-retention layer of an intermediate member receives the drops in cells including ion donors, forming a liquid pattern corresponding to image data. The ion donor in liquid-containing cells dissolves into ions. A transport member brings the recording medium into contact with the liquid pattern on the intermediate member. A voltage source applies a bias across the recording medium in contact with the liquid pattern to move ions to form a charge pattern corresponding to the liquid pattern on the recording medium. A development station applies charged dry ink to the recording medium bearing the charge pattern, so that a dry ink image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording medium.