Digital printing can be done through thermal transfer which heats a place on a ribbon to transfer an ink dot to either a transfer paper or the final substrate. Since it is a digital process, printing preparation such as screens are eliminated along with their associated waste. This is a dry process, able to print on a variety of substrates, including synthetic materials and fabrics by using the appropriate ribbons and inks. By applying individually-controlled dots of various process colors, spot colors, and specialty inks, the amount of printing press equipment is minimized since the same press parts apply each type of ink. 

More information is available from the Association of Color Thermal Transfer Technology, www.acttt.com

Author: Karen Walsh
Source: SGIA Journal Q1 2000, p. 3-8