A system and method are provided for depositing a uniform layer of a dampening solution using a vapor deposition/condensation process or technique on a reimageable surface in an image forming device using a proposed variable data digital lithographic image forming architecture that transfers ink at an efficiency rate in excess of 95 percent. A reimageable surface is configured of a low surface energy surface component that directly accepts a vaporized dampening solution having a lower surface energy than the surface energy of the reimageable surface. A uniformity in the layer of condensed dampening solution on the reimageable surface is a product of the relative difference in the low surface energy of the reimageable surface and the lower surface energy of the dampening solution.