Systems and methods for ink-based digital printing using imaging member and image transfer member

Abstract

Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include an imaging member configured to receive a layer of dampening fluid, and configured to absorb light energy emitted by a laser imager; and a transfer member configured to receive ink, the transfer member and the imaging member forming a dampening fluid image loading nip. Systems include a dampening fluid metering system configured to form a uniform layer of dampening fluid onto a surface of the imaging member, and a laser imager, the laser imager configured to expose a layer of dampening fluid on the imaging member to a laser beam for selectively evaporating portions of the dampening fluid layer to form a dampening fluid image. Systems may include the transfer member being configured to receive a dampening fluid image from a surface of the imaging member at the dampening fluid image loading nip.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.