Abstract: A printing system forms a first electrostatic latent image on a dielectric member and tones the image with a first toner. The toned image is then consolidated on the dielectric member, and one or more additional toners are applied to form a multiply-toned image which is then fused and transferred to a sheet. At intermediate stages of forming the multiply-toned image, the previously applied toner is melted and cooled to consolidate it. A dielectric belt with a fast thermal response time allows the multicolor image to be efficiently formed on the belt and all colors transferred to a paper sheet which is fed once through the machine. The belt may receive latent images from a photosensitive imaging drum of conventional type, or may itself be a photosensitive belt which directly receives an optical image. Preferably, however, the electrostatic latent images are deposited on the belt by one or more electronically controlled printhead arrays.