A system for electrostatic powder coating irregular shaped, three-dimensional articles with 10 .mu.m average diameter powder particles. A supply of powder particles are triboelectrically charged and transported onto one or more donor rolls without the need from fluidization of the powder particles. The charged powder particles on the one or more donor rolls are metered to provide a uniform layer thereon. A combination of AC electric fields and/or air jet detach the powder particles from the one or more donor rolls and produce a powder cloud that is directed to the grounded article to be coated. A layer of powder particles coats the outer surface of the article, and the layer is subsequently cured to form a permanent and durable film on the article.