Abstract: A thermal image transfer recording medium is disclosed, which comprises a support; a releasing layer formed on the support, comprising a wax component; and a thermal image transfer layer formed on the releasing layer, comprising a copolymer prepared from an alkylmethacrylate and a (meth)acrylonitrile, optionally in addition thereto a vinyl monomer, with a glass transition temperature of 30.degree. C. or more, and a coloring agent, the thermal image transfer layer having fine cracks having a length of 0.8 to 8 .mu.m with the number thereof being 25 to 100 per 1000 .mu.m.sup.2 on the surface thereof. In this recording medium, the thermal image transfer layer may further comprise a crosslinked acrylic resin with a glass transition temperature of 10.degree. C. or more and a number average molecular weight of 1,000,000 or more. Furthermore, an auxiliary thermal image transfer layer comprising a thermoplastic resin with a glass transition temperature of 30.degree. C.