A liquid toner or developer for electrostatic images comprises a carrier liquid, insoluble marking particles and a dispersing agent. The dispersing agent is non-compatible with or insoluble in the carrier liquid. The liquid toner or developer does not need the use of a corona generating wire, roller or the like, to adjust or change the orientation of individual toner particles within the toner deposit prior to the development of the latent electrostatic image. For instance the liquid toner or developer is a three phase colloid system comprising a carrier liquid phase, a marking particle phase and a dispersing agent. The marking particles are insoluble in the carrier liquid and the dispersing agent phase. The dispersing agent comprising droplets which are non-compatible with or insoluble in the carrier liquid.