A method includes moving a multi-color ribbon over a target object. The multi-color ribbon has a lower layer and an upper layer of inks or pigments. The method also includes applying heat and pressure onto the multi-color ribbon to transfer the overlying layers of the inks or pigments to the target object, and removing at least a portion of the lower layer of the ink or pigment that was transferred to the target object to reveal at least a portion of the upper layer of the ink or pigment that were transferred to the target object.

A method includes moving a multi-color ribbon over a target object. The multi-color ribbon has a lower layer and an upper layer of inks or pigments. The method also includes applying heat and pressure onto the multi-color ribbon to transfer the overlying layers of the inks or pigments to the target object, and removing at least a portion of the lower layer of the ink or pigment that was transferred to the target object to reveal at least a portion of the upper layer of the ink or pigment that were transferred to the target object.