Roller transfer apparatus having an extended nip exhibiting low pressure

Roller transfer apparatus of simplified construction which has an extended transfer nip exhibiting low pressure for effecting efficient transfer of marking particle images from a dielectric support with a substantial reduction in image transfer defects. In such transfer apparatus, the dielectric support in the form of a web is supported by a mechanisnm offset relative to the transfer roller in an upstream and/or downstream direction to position the web relative to the transfer roller to establish an extended contact nip zone with a low nip pressure. As an example, the support mechanism includes a pair of spaced rollers respectively offset relative to the transfer roller in an upstream and downstream direction to provide a nip zone with a dimension of at least 0.01 m measured in the direction of roller rotation and a nip pressure in such zone of less than 2x104 Pa.