diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index b0fa43e..43e311d 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "nova-snark"
-version = "0.17.0"
+version = "0.18.0"
 authors = ["Srinath Setty <srinath@microsoft.com>"]
 edition = "2021"
 description = "Recursive zkSNARKs without trusted setup"
diff --git a/src/provider/ipa_pc.rs b/src/provider/ipa_pc.rs
index 5cfb0bf..09383e4 100644
--- a/src/provider/ipa_pc.rs
+++ b/src/provider/ipa_pc.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use crate::{
   traits::{
     commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentKeyTrait, CommitmentTrait},
     evaluation::EvaluationEngineTrait,
-    AppendToTranscriptTrait, ChallengeTrait, Group, TranscriptEngineTrait,
+    Group, TranscriptEngineTrait, TranscriptReprTrait,
   },
   Commitment, CommitmentKey, CompressedCommitment, CE,
 };
@@ -139,6 +139,17 @@ impl<G: Group> InnerProductInstance<G> {
   }
 }
 
+impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for InnerProductInstance<G> {
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+    // we do not need to include self.b_vec as in our context it is produced from the transcript
+    [
+      self.comm_a_vec.to_transcript_bytes(),
+      self.c.to_transcript_bytes(),
+    ]
+    .concat()
+  }
+}
+
 struct InnerProductWitness<G: Group> {
   a_vec: Vec<G::Scalar>,
 }
@@ -167,7 +178,7 @@ where
   CommitmentKey<G>: CommitmentKeyExtTrait<G, CE = G::CE>,
 {
   fn protocol_name() -> &'static [u8] {
-    b"inner product argument"
+    b"IPA"
   }
 
   fn prove(
@@ -177,17 +188,17 @@ where
     W: &InnerProductWitness<G>,
     transcript: &mut G::TE,
   ) -> Result<Self, NovaError> {
-    transcript.absorb_bytes(b"protocol-name", Self::protocol_name());
+    transcript.dom_sep(Self::protocol_name());
 
     if U.b_vec.len() != W.a_vec.len() {
       return Err(NovaError::InvalidInputLength);
     }
 
-    U.comm_a_vec.append_to_transcript(b"comm_a_vec", transcript);
-    <G::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(&U.c, b"c", transcript);
+    // absorb the instance in the transcript
+    transcript.absorb(b"U", U);
 
     // sample a random base for commiting to the inner product
-    let r = G::Scalar::challenge(b"r", transcript)?;
+    let r = transcript.squeeze(b"r")?;
     let ck_c = ck_c.scale(&r);
 
     // a closure that executes a step of the recursive inner product argument
@@ -230,10 +241,10 @@ where
       )
       .compress();
 
-      L.append_to_transcript(b"L", transcript);
-      R.append_to_transcript(b"R", transcript);
+      transcript.absorb(b"L", &L);
+      transcript.absorb(b"R", &R);
 
-      let r = G::Scalar::challenge(b"challenge_r", transcript)?;
+      let r = transcript.squeeze(b"r")?;
       let r_inverse = r.invert().unwrap();
 
       // fold the left half and the right half
@@ -289,7 +300,7 @@ where
     U: &InnerProductInstance<G>,
     transcript: &mut G::TE,
   ) -> Result<(), NovaError> {
-    transcript.absorb_bytes(b"protocol-name", Self::protocol_name());
+    transcript.dom_sep(Self::protocol_name());
     if U.b_vec.len() != n
       || n != (1 << self.L_vec.len())
       || self.L_vec.len() != self.R_vec.len()
@@ -298,11 +309,11 @@ where
       return Err(NovaError::InvalidInputLength);
     }
 
-    U.comm_a_vec.append_to_transcript(b"comm_a_vec", transcript);
-    <G::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(&U.c, b"c", transcript);
+    // absorb the instance in the transcript
+    transcript.absorb(b"U", U);
 
     // sample a random base for commiting to the inner product
-    let r = G::Scalar::challenge(b"r", transcript)?;
+    let r = transcript.squeeze(b"r")?;
     let ck_c = ck_c.scale(&r);
 
     let P = U.comm_a_vec + CE::<G>::commit(&ck_c, &[U.c]);
@@ -337,9 +348,9 @@ where
     // compute a vector of public coins using self.L_vec and self.R_vec
     let r = (0..self.L_vec.len())
       .map(|i| {
-        self.L_vec[i].append_to_transcript(b"L", transcript);
-        self.R_vec[i].append_to_transcript(b"R", transcript);
-        G::Scalar::challenge(b"challenge_r", transcript)
+        transcript.absorb(b"L", &self.L_vec[i]);
+        transcript.absorb(b"R", &self.R_vec[i]);
+        transcript.squeeze(b"r")
       })
       .collect::<Result<Vec<G::Scalar>, NovaError>>()?;
 
diff --git a/src/provider/keccak.rs b/src/provider/keccak.rs
index c73cbca..2629e7c 100644
--- a/src/provider/keccak.rs
+++ b/src/provider/keccak.rs
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
 use crate::traits::PrimeFieldExt;
 use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
-  traits::{Group, TranscriptEngineTrait},
+  traits::{Group, TranscriptEngineTrait, TranscriptReprTrait},
 };
 use core::marker::PhantomData;
 use sha3::{Digest, Keccak256};
 
-const PERSONA_TAG: &[u8] = b"NovaTranscript";
-const DOM_SEP_TAG: &[u8] = b"NovaRound";
+const PERSONA_TAG: &[u8] = b"NoTR";
+const DOM_SEP_TAG: &[u8] = b"NoDS";
 const KECCAK256_STATE_SIZE: usize = 64;
 const KECCAK256_PREFIX_CHALLENGE_LO: u8 = 0;
 const KECCAK256_PREFIX_CHALLENGE_HI: u8 = 1;
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ impl<G: Group> TranscriptEngineTrait<G> for Keccak256Transcript<G> {
     }
   }
 
-  fn squeeze_scalar(&mut self, label: &'static [u8]) -> Result<G::Scalar, NovaError> {
+  fn squeeze(&mut self, label: &'static [u8]) -> Result<G::Scalar, NovaError> {
     let input = [
       DOM_SEP_TAG,
       self.round.to_le_bytes().as_ref(),
@@ -81,8 +81,13 @@ impl<G: Group> TranscriptEngineTrait<G> for Keccak256Transcript<G> {
     Ok(G::Scalar::from_uniform(&output))
   }
 
-  fn absorb_bytes(&mut self, label: &'static [u8], bytes: &[u8]) {
+  fn absorb<T: TranscriptReprTrait<G>>(&mut self, label: &'static [u8], o: &T) {
     self.transcript.extend_from_slice(label);
+    self.transcript.extend_from_slice(&o.to_transcript_bytes());
+  }
+
+  fn dom_sep(&mut self, bytes: &'static [u8]) {
+    self.transcript.extend_from_slice(DOM_SEP_TAG);
     self.transcript.extend_from_slice(bytes);
   }
 }
@@ -91,7 +96,7 @@ impl<G: Group> TranscriptEngineTrait<G> for Keccak256Transcript<G> {
 mod tests {
   use crate::{
     provider::keccak::Keccak256Transcript,
-    traits::{AppendToTranscriptTrait, ChallengeTrait, Group, TranscriptEngineTrait},
+    traits::{Group, TranscriptEngineTrait},
   };
   use ff::PrimeField;
   use sha3::{Digest, Keccak256};
@@ -100,50 +105,34 @@ mod tests {
 
   #[test]
   fn test_keccak_transcript() {
-    let mut transcript = Keccak256Transcript::new(b"test");
+    let mut transcript: Keccak256Transcript<G> = Keccak256Transcript::new(b"test");
 
     // two scalars
     let s1 = <G as Group>::Scalar::from(2u64);
     let s2 = <G as Group>::Scalar::from(5u64);
 
     // add the scalars to the transcript
-    <<G as Group>::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &s1,
-      b"s1",
-      &mut transcript,
-    );
-    <<G as Group>::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &s2,
-      b"s2",
-      &mut transcript,
-    );
+    transcript.absorb(b"s1", &s1);
+    transcript.absorb(b"s2", &s2);
 
     // make a challenge
-    let c1 =
-      <<G as Group>::Scalar as ChallengeTrait<G>>::challenge(b"challenge_c1", &mut transcript)
-        .unwrap();
+    let c1: <G as Group>::Scalar = transcript.squeeze(b"c1").unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
       hex::encode(c1.to_repr().as_ref()),
-      "51648083af5387a04a7aa2aec789ee78fdabe45dc1391d270a38fcb576447c01"
+      "432d5811c8be3d44d47f52108a8749ae18482efd1a37b830f966456b5d75340c"
     );
 
     // a scalar
     let s3 = <G as Group>::Scalar::from(128u64);
 
     // add the scalar to the transcript
-    <<G as Group>::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &s3,
-      b"s3",
-      &mut transcript,
-    );
+    transcript.absorb(b"s3", &s3);
 
     // make a challenge
-    let c2 =
-      <<G as Group>::Scalar as ChallengeTrait<G>>::challenge(b"challenge_c2", &mut transcript)
-        .unwrap();
+    let c2: <G as Group>::Scalar = transcript.squeeze(b"c2").unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
       hex::encode(c2.to_repr().as_ref()),
-      "9773f3349f7308153f6012e72b97fc304e48372bbd28bd122b37a8e46855d50f"
+      "65f7908d53abcd18f3b1d767456ef9009b91c7566a635e9ca7be26e21d4d7a10"
     );
   }
 
diff --git a/src/provider/pasta.rs b/src/provider/pasta.rs
index 8f4d773..bdffdd3 100644
--- a/src/provider/pasta.rs
+++ b/src/provider/pasta.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 //! This module implements the Nova traits for pallas::Point, pallas::Scalar, vesta::Point, vesta::Scalar.
 use crate::{
-  errors::NovaError,
   provider::{
     keccak::Keccak256Transcript,
     pedersen::CommitmentEngine,
     poseidon::{PoseidonRO, PoseidonROCircuit},
   },
-  traits::{ChallengeTrait, CompressedGroup, Group, PrimeFieldExt, TranscriptEngineTrait},
+  traits::{CompressedGroup, Group, PrimeFieldExt, TranscriptReprTrait},
 };
 use digest::{ExtendableOutput, Input};
 use ff::PrimeField;
@@ -177,9 +176,11 @@ macro_rules! impl_traits {
         let bytes_arr: [u8; 64] = bytes.try_into().unwrap();
         $name::Scalar::from_bytes_wide(&bytes_arr)
       }
+    }
 
-      fn to_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        self.to_repr().as_ref().to_vec()
+    impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for $name_compressed {
+      fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+        self.repr.to_vec()
       }
     }
 
@@ -189,17 +190,19 @@ macro_rules! impl_traits {
       fn decompress(&self) -> Option<$name::Point> {
         Some($name_curve::from_bytes(&self.repr).unwrap())
       }
-
-      fn as_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        self.repr.to_vec()
-      }
     }
   };
 }
 
-impl<G: Group<Scalar = F>, F: PrimeField> ChallengeTrait<G> for F {
-  fn challenge(label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) -> Result<F, NovaError> {
-    transcript.squeeze_scalar(label)
+impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for pallas::Base {
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+    self.to_repr().to_vec()
+  }
+}
+
+impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for pallas::Scalar {
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+    self.to_repr().to_vec()
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/provider/pedersen.rs b/src/provider/pedersen.rs
index c2cb381..5813941 100644
--- a/src/provider/pedersen.rs
+++ b/src/provider/pedersen.rs
@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@ use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
   traits::{
     commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentKeyTrait, CommitmentTrait},
-    AbsorbInROTrait, AppendToTranscriptTrait, CompressedGroup, Group, ROTrait,
-    TranscriptEngineTrait,
+    AbsorbInROTrait, CompressedGroup, Group, ROTrait, TranscriptReprTrait,
   },
 };
 use core::{
@@ -12,7 +11,7 @@ use core::{
   marker::PhantomData,
   ops::{Add, AddAssign, Mul, MulAssign},
 };
-use ff::{Field, PrimeField};
+use ff::Field;
 use rayon::prelude::*;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
@@ -89,17 +88,16 @@ impl<G: Group> Default for Commitment<G> {
   }
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> AppendToTranscriptTrait<G> for Commitment<G> {
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) {
+impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for Commitment<G> {
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
     let (x, y, is_infinity) = self.comm.to_coordinates();
     let is_infinity_byte = if is_infinity { 0u8 } else { 1u8 };
-    let bytes = [
-      x.to_repr().as_ref(),
-      y.to_repr().as_ref(),
-      &[is_infinity_byte],
+    [
+      x.to_transcript_bytes(),
+      y.to_transcript_bytes(),
+      [is_infinity_byte].to_vec(),
     ]
-    .concat();
-    transcript.absorb_bytes(label, &bytes);
+    .concat()
   }
 }
 
@@ -116,9 +114,9 @@ impl<G: Group> AbsorbInROTrait<G> for Commitment<G> {
   }
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> AppendToTranscriptTrait<G> for CompressedCommitment<G> {
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) {
-    transcript.absorb_bytes(label, &self.comm.as_bytes());
+impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for CompressedCommitment<G> {
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+    self.comm.to_transcript_bytes()
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/r1cs.rs b/src/r1cs.rs
index 7d06a7d..6655674 100644
--- a/src/r1cs.rs
+++ b/src/r1cs.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use crate::{
   },
   traits::{
     commitment::{CommitmentEngineTrait, CommitmentKeyTrait},
-    AbsorbInROTrait, AppendToTranscriptTrait, Group, ROTrait,
+    AbsorbInROTrait, Group, ROTrait, TranscriptReprTrait,
   },
   Commitment, CommitmentKey, CE,
 };
@@ -435,13 +435,9 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSShape<G> {
   }
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> AppendToTranscriptTrait<G> for R1CSShape<G> {
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) {
-    <<G as Group>::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &self.get_digest(),
-      label,
-      transcript,
-    );
+impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for R1CSShape<G> {
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+    self.get_digest().to_transcript_bytes()
   }
 }
 
@@ -485,13 +481,6 @@ impl<G: Group> R1CSInstance<G> {
   }
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> AppendToTranscriptTrait<G> for R1CSInstance<G> {
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, _label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) {
-    self.comm_W.append_to_transcript(b"comm_W", transcript);
-    <[G::Scalar] as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(&self.X, b"X", transcript);
-  }
-}
-
 impl<G: Group> AbsorbInROTrait<G> for R1CSInstance<G> {
   fn absorb_in_ro(&self, ro: &mut G::RO) {
     self.comm_W.absorb_in_ro(ro);
@@ -623,12 +612,15 @@ impl<G: Group> RelaxedR1CSInstance<G> {
   }
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> AppendToTranscriptTrait<G> for RelaxedR1CSInstance<G> {
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, _label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) {
-    self.comm_W.append_to_transcript(b"comm_W", transcript);
-    self.comm_E.append_to_transcript(b"comm_E", transcript);
-    <G::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(&self.u, b"u", transcript);
-    <[G::Scalar] as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(&self.X, b"X", transcript);
+impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for RelaxedR1CSInstance<G> {
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+    [
+      self.comm_W.to_transcript_bytes(),
+      self.comm_E.to_transcript_bytes(),
+      self.u.to_transcript_bytes(),
+      self.X.as_slice().to_transcript_bytes(),
+    ]
+    .concat()
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/spartan/mod.rs b/src/spartan/mod.rs
index 8089c36..dc1efcb 100644
--- a/src/spartan/mod.rs
+++ b/src/spartan/mod.rs
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
   r1cs::{R1CSShape, RelaxedR1CSInstance, RelaxedR1CSWitness},
   traits::{
-    evaluation::EvaluationEngineTrait, snark::RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait, AppendToTranscriptTrait,
-    ChallengeTrait, Group, TranscriptEngineTrait,
+    evaluation::EvaluationEngineTrait, snark::RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait, Group, TranscriptEngineTrait,
   },
   CommitmentKey,
 };
@@ -83,8 +82,8 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
     assert!(pk.S.num_io < pk.S.num_vars);
 
     // append the R1CSShape and RelaxedR1CSInstance to the transcript
-    pk.S.append_to_transcript(b"S", &mut transcript);
-    U.append_to_transcript(b"U", &mut transcript);
+    transcript.absorb(b"S", &pk.S);
+    transcript.absorb(b"U", U);
 
     // compute the full satisfying assignment by concatenating W.W, U.u, and U.X
     let mut z = concat(vec![W.W.clone(), vec![U.u], U.X.clone()]);
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
 
     // outer sum-check
     let tau = (0..num_rounds_x)
-      .map(|_i| G::Scalar::challenge(b"tau", &mut transcript))
+      .map(|_i| transcript.squeeze(b"t"))
       .collect::<Result<Vec<G::Scalar>, NovaError>>()?;
 
     let mut poly_tau = MultilinearPolynomial::new(EqPolynomial::new(tau).evals());
@@ -134,15 +133,13 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
     let (claim_Az, claim_Bz): (G::Scalar, G::Scalar) = (claims_outer[1], claims_outer[2]);
     let claim_Cz = poly_Cz.evaluate(&r_x);
     let eval_E = MultilinearPolynomial::new(W.E.clone()).evaluate(&r_x);
-
-    <[G::Scalar] as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &[claim_Az, claim_Bz, claim_Cz, eval_E],
+    transcript.absorb(
       b"claims_outer",
-      &mut transcript,
+      &[claim_Az, claim_Bz, claim_Cz, eval_E].as_slice(),
     );
 
     // inner sum-check
-    let r = G::Scalar::challenge(b"r", &mut transcript)?;
+    let r = transcript.squeeze(b"r")?;
     let claim_inner_joint = claim_Az + r * claim_Bz + r * r * claim_Cz;
 
     let poly_ABC = {
@@ -213,11 +210,7 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
     )?;
 
     let eval_W = MultilinearPolynomial::new(W.W.clone()).evaluate(&r_y[1..]);
-    <G::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &eval_W,
-      b"eval_W",
-      &mut transcript,
-    );
+    transcript.absorb(b"eval_W", &eval_W);
 
     // We will now reduce eval_W =? W(r_y[1..]) and eval_W =? E(r_x) into
     // two claims: eval_W_prime =? W(rz) and eval_E_prime =? E(rz)
@@ -225,7 +218,7 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
     // where gamma is a public challenge
     // Since commitments to W and E are homomorphic, the verifier can compute a commitment
     // to the batched polynomial.
-    let rho = G::Scalar::challenge(b"rho", &mut transcript)?;
+    let rho = transcript.squeeze(b"rho")?;
 
     let claim_batch_joint = eval_E + rho * eval_W;
     let num_rounds_z = num_rounds_x;
@@ -248,14 +241,10 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
 
     let eval_E_prime = claims_batch[1];
     let eval_W_prime = claims_batch[3];
-    <[G::Scalar] as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &[eval_E_prime, eval_W_prime],
-      b"claims_batch",
-      &mut transcript,
-    );
+    transcript.absorb(b"claims_batch", &[eval_E_prime, eval_W_prime].as_slice());
 
     // we now combine evaluation claims at the same point rz into one
-    let gamma = G::Scalar::challenge(b"gamma", &mut transcript)?;
+    let gamma = transcript.squeeze(b"gamma")?;
     let comm = U.comm_E + U.comm_W * gamma;
     let poly = W
       .E
@@ -285,8 +274,8 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
     let mut transcript = G::TE::new(b"RelaxedR1CSSNARK");
 
     // append the R1CSShape and RelaxedR1CSInstance to the transcript
-    vk.S.append_to_transcript(b"S", &mut transcript);
-    U.append_to_transcript(b"U", &mut transcript);
+    transcript.absorb(b"S", &vk.S);
+    transcript.absorb(b"U", U);
 
     let (num_rounds_x, num_rounds_y) = (
       (vk.S.num_cons as f64).log2() as usize,
@@ -295,7 +284,7 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
 
     // outer sum-check
     let tau = (0..num_rounds_x)
-      .map(|_i| G::Scalar::challenge(b"tau", &mut transcript))
+      .map(|_i| transcript.squeeze(b"t"))
       .collect::<Result<Vec<G::Scalar>, NovaError>>()?;
 
     let (claim_outer_final, r_x) =
@@ -312,19 +301,19 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
       return Err(NovaError::InvalidSumcheckProof);
     }
 
-    <[G::Scalar] as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
+    transcript.absorb(
+      b"claims_outer",
       &[
         self.claims_outer.0,
         self.claims_outer.1,
         self.claims_outer.2,
         self.eval_E,
-      ],
-      b"claims_outer",
-      &mut transcript,
+      ]
+      .as_slice(),
     );
 
     // inner sum-check
-    let r = G::Scalar::challenge(b"r", &mut transcript)?;
+    let r = transcript.squeeze(b"r")?;
     let claim_inner_joint =
       self.claims_outer.0 + r * self.claims_outer.1 + r * r * self.claims_outer.2;
 
@@ -380,13 +369,9 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
     }
 
     // batch sum-check
-    <G::Scalar as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &self.eval_W,
-      b"eval_W",
-      &mut transcript,
-    );
+    transcript.absorb(b"eval_W", &self.eval_W);
 
-    let rho = G::Scalar::challenge(b"rho", &mut transcript)?;
+    let rho = transcript.squeeze(b"rho")?;
     let claim_batch_joint = self.eval_E + rho * self.eval_W;
     let num_rounds_z = num_rounds_x;
     let (claim_batch_final, r_z) =
@@ -405,14 +390,13 @@ impl<G: Group, EE: EvaluationEngineTrait<G, CE = G::CE>> RelaxedR1CSSNARKTrait<G
       return Err(NovaError::InvalidSumcheckProof);
     }
 
-    <[G::Scalar] as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &[self.eval_E_prime, self.eval_W_prime],
+    transcript.absorb(
       b"claims_batch",
-      &mut transcript,
+      &[self.eval_E_prime, self.eval_W_prime].as_slice(),
     );
 
     // we now combine evaluation claims at the same point rz into one
-    let gamma = G::Scalar::challenge(b"gamma", &mut transcript)?;
+    let gamma = transcript.squeeze(b"gamma")?;
     let comm = U.comm_E + U.comm_W * gamma;
     let eval = self.eval_E_prime + gamma * self.eval_W_prime;
 
diff --git a/src/spartan/sumcheck.rs b/src/spartan/sumcheck.rs
index eea2b6e..f73ae05 100644
--- a/src/spartan/sumcheck.rs
+++ b/src/spartan/sumcheck.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #![allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
 use super::polynomial::MultilinearPolynomial;
 use crate::errors::NovaError;
-use crate::traits::{AppendToTranscriptTrait, ChallengeTrait, Group};
+use crate::traits::{Group, TranscriptEngineTrait, TranscriptReprTrait};
 use core::marker::PhantomData;
 use ff::Field;
 use rayon::prelude::*;
@@ -43,10 +43,10 @@ impl<G: Group> SumcheckProof<G> {
       debug_assert_eq!(poly.eval_at_zero() + poly.eval_at_one(), e);
 
       // append the prover's message to the transcript
-      poly.append_to_transcript(b"poly", transcript);
+      transcript.absorb(b"p", &poly);
 
       //derive the verifier's challenge for the next round
-      let r_i = G::Scalar::challenge(b"challenge", transcript)?;
+      let r_i = transcript.squeeze(b"c")?;
 
       r.push(r_i);
 
@@ -98,10 +98,10 @@ impl<G: Group> SumcheckProof<G> {
       };
 
       // append the prover's message to the transcript
-      poly.append_to_transcript(b"poly", transcript);
+      transcript.absorb(b"p", &poly);
 
       //derive the verifier's challenge for the next round
-      let r_i = G::Scalar::challenge(b"challenge", transcript)?;
+      let r_i = transcript.squeeze(b"c")?;
       r.push(r_i);
       polys.push(poly.compress());
 
@@ -172,10 +172,10 @@ impl<G: Group> SumcheckProof<G> {
       };
 
       // append the prover's message to the transcript
-      poly.append_to_transcript(b"poly", transcript);
+      transcript.absorb(b"p", &poly);
 
-      //derive the verifier's challenge for the next round
-      let r_i = G::Scalar::challenge(b"challenge", transcript)?;
+      // derive the verifier's challenge for the next round
+      let r_i = transcript.squeeze(b"c")?;
       r.push(r_i);
       polys.push(poly.compress());
 
@@ -266,10 +266,10 @@ impl<G: Group> SumcheckProof<G> {
       };
 
       // append the prover's message to the transcript
-      poly.append_to_transcript(b"poly", transcript);
+      transcript.absorb(b"p", &poly);
 
       //derive the verifier's challenge for the next round
-      let r_i = G::Scalar::challenge(b"challenge", transcript)?;
+      let r_i = transcript.squeeze(b"c")?;
       r.push(r_i);
       polys.push(poly.compress());
 
@@ -396,12 +396,9 @@ impl<G: Group> CompressedUniPoly<G> {
   }
 }
 
-impl<G: Group> AppendToTranscriptTrait<G> for UniPoly<G> {
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) {
-    <[G::Scalar] as AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>>::append_to_transcript(
-      &self.coeffs,
-      label,
-      transcript,
-    );
+impl<G: Group> TranscriptReprTrait<G> for UniPoly<G> {
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+    let coeffs = self.compress().coeffs_except_linear_term;
+    coeffs.as_slice().to_transcript_bytes()
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/traits/commitment.rs b/src/traits/commitment.rs
index e105704..a1e2b96 100644
--- a/src/traits/commitment.rs
+++ b/src/traits/commitment.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 //! We require the commitment engine to provide a commitment to vectors with a single group element
 use crate::{
   errors::NovaError,
-  traits::{AbsorbInROTrait, AppendToTranscriptTrait, Group},
+  traits::{AbsorbInROTrait, Group, TranscriptReprTrait},
 };
 use core::{
   fmt::Debug,
@@ -65,10 +65,10 @@ pub trait CommitmentTrait<G: Group>:
   + Eq
   + Send
   + Sync
+  + TranscriptReprTrait<G>
   + Serialize
   + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>
   + AbsorbInROTrait<G>
-  + AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>
   + CommitmentOps
   + CommitmentOpsOwned
   + ScalarMul<G::Scalar>
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ pub trait CommitmentTrait<G: Group>:
     + Eq
     + Send
     + Sync
+    + TranscriptReprTrait<G>
     + Serialize
-    + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>
-    + AppendToTranscriptTrait<G>;
+    + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
 
   /// Compresses self into a compressed commitment
   fn compress(&self) -> Self::CompressedCommitment;
diff --git a/src/traits/mod.rs b/src/traits/mod.rs
index 78f6f60..4618402 100644
--- a/src/traits/mod.rs
+++ b/src/traits/mod.rs
@@ -34,15 +34,19 @@ pub trait Group:
   + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>
 {
   /// A type representing an element of the base field of the group
-  type Base: PrimeField + PrimeFieldBits + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
+  type Base: PrimeField
+    + PrimeFieldBits
+    + TranscriptReprTrait<Self>
+    + Serialize
+    + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
 
   /// A type representing an element of the scalar field of the group
   type Scalar: PrimeField
     + PrimeFieldBits
     + PrimeFieldExt
-    + ChallengeTrait<Self>
     + Send
     + Sync
+    + TranscriptReprTrait<Self>
     + Serialize
     + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
 
@@ -97,16 +101,23 @@ pub trait Group:
 
 /// Represents a compressed version of a group element
 pub trait CompressedGroup:
-  Clone + Copy + Debug + Eq + Sized + Send + Sync + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de> + 'static
+  Clone
+  + Copy
+  + Debug
+  + Eq
+  + Sized
+  + Send
+  + Sync
+  + TranscriptReprTrait<Self::GroupElement>
+  + Serialize
+  + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>
+  + 'static
 {
   /// A type that holds the decompressed version of the compressed group element
   type GroupElement: Group + Serialize + for<'de> Deserialize<'de>;
 
   /// Decompresses the compressed group element
   fn decompress(&self) -> Option<Self::GroupElement>;
-
-  /// Returns a byte array representing the compressed group element
-  fn as_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8>;
 }
 
 /// A helper trait to absorb different objects in RO
@@ -196,56 +207,43 @@ impl<T, Rhs, Output> ScalarMul<Rhs, Output> for T where T: Mul<Rhs, Output = Out
 pub trait ScalarMulOwned<Rhs, Output = Self>: for<'r> ScalarMul<&'r Rhs, Output> {}
 impl<T, Rhs, Output> ScalarMulOwned<Rhs, Output> for T where T: for<'r> ScalarMul<&'r Rhs, Output> {}
 
+/// This trait allows types to implement how they want to be added to TranscriptEngine
+pub trait TranscriptReprTrait<G: Group>: Send + Sync {
+  /// returns a byte representation of self to be added to the transcript
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8>;
+}
+
 /// This trait defines the behavior of a transcript engine compatible with Spartan
 pub trait TranscriptEngineTrait<G: Group>: Send + Sync {
   /// initializes the transcript
   fn new(label: &'static [u8]) -> Self;
 
   /// returns a scalar element of the group as a challenge
-  fn squeeze_scalar(&mut self, label: &'static [u8]) -> Result<G::Scalar, NovaError>;
+  fn squeeze(&mut self, label: &'static [u8]) -> Result<G::Scalar, NovaError>;
 
-  /// absorbs a label and a sequence of bytes
-  fn absorb_bytes(&mut self, label: &'static [u8], bytes: &[u8]);
-}
-
-/// A helper trait to append different types to the transcript
-pub trait AppendToTranscriptTrait<G: Group> {
-  /// appends the value to the transcript under the provided label
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE);
-}
+  /// absorbs any type that implements TranscriptReprTrait under a label
+  fn absorb<T: TranscriptReprTrait<G>>(&mut self, label: &'static [u8], o: &T);
 
-/// A helper trait to generate challenges using a transcript object
-pub trait ChallengeTrait<G: Group> {
-  /// Returns a challenge from the transcript
-  fn challenge(label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) -> Result<Self, NovaError>
-  where
-    Self: Sized;
+  /// adds a domain separator
+  fn dom_sep(&mut self, bytes: &'static [u8]);
 }
 
 /// Defines additional methods on PrimeField objects
 pub trait PrimeFieldExt: PrimeField {
   /// Returns a scalar representing the bytes
   fn from_uniform(bytes: &[u8]) -> Self;
-
-  /// Returns a vector of bytes representing the scalar
-  fn to_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8>;
-}
-
-impl<G: Group<Scalar = F>, F: PrimeField + PrimeFieldExt> AppendToTranscriptTrait<G> for F {
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) {
-    transcript.absorb_bytes(label, &<Self as PrimeFieldExt>::to_bytes(self));
-  }
 }
 
-impl<G: Group<Scalar = F>, F: PrimeField + PrimeFieldExt> AppendToTranscriptTrait<G> for [F] {
-  fn append_to_transcript(&self, label: &'static [u8], transcript: &mut G::TE) {
-    let bytes = (0..self.len())
-      .map(|i| <F as PrimeFieldExt>::to_bytes(&self[i]))
+impl<G: Group<Scalar = F>, F: PrimeField + TranscriptReprTrait<G>> TranscriptReprTrait<G>
+  for &[F]
+{
+  fn to_transcript_bytes(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+    (0..self.len())
+      .map(|i| <F as TranscriptReprTrait<G>>::to_transcript_bytes(&self[i]))
       .collect::<Vec<_>>()
       .into_iter()
       .flatten()
-      .collect::<Vec<u8>>();
-    transcript.absorb_bytes(label, &bytes);
+      .collect::<Vec<u8>>()
   }
 }