Abstract: In a thermal transfer recording method of the type using a strip of repeatedly usable ink ribbon wound about an ink ribbon feeding roll, recording is effected by means of a line scanning type thermal head while recording paper and ink ribbon are transported forwardly in the superimposed state. At every time when recording has been achieved both the recording paper and the ink ribbon are released from the clamped state which is caused by means of a combination of platen roller and thermal head and thereafter the ink ribbon is transported backwardly by a distance shorter than the length of a single page. A short part of the ink ribbon transported backwardly on which recording has been effected is put in use again for next recording operation.