Abstract: Objects of arbitrary shape and size are marked by a method using a thermal transfer ribbon. The method comprises the steps of creating a graphic on a thermal transfer ribbon, joining the graphic-bearing ribbon to a receptor substrate, removing the graphic-bearing ribbon from the receptor substrate, placing the graphic-bearing ribbon on a target object with the graphic in contact with a surface of the target object, applying sufficient heat and pressure to the graphic-bearing ribbon such that the graphic is transferred from the ribbon to the surface of the target object, and removing the ribbon from the surface of the target object.