FIELD: application of coating. SUBSTANCE: method involves heating can body with auxiliary carrier applied for a short period of time; terminating the process of thermal transfer printing, with temperature being gradually decreased. As a result optically acute images are obtained on can body by suppression of lateral migration of dye molecules in the process of thermal transfer printing and faultless closed impression is received in the vicinity of zone of overlap of auxiliary carrier. EFFECT: increased efficiency and improved quality of prints on metal can surfaces. 19 cl, 4 dwg
