To obtain a compact, inexpensive, high speed direct thermal recorder and recording method employing a photofixing thermal recording material.

A thermal recording layer and at least one photofixing thermal recording layer having lower thermal recording sensitivity and fixed with light of different wavelength are laminated on a support with each layer employing a photofixing thermal recording material 33 developing a different color thus constituting a direct thermal recorder. The direct thermal recorder 31 comprises an exposing means 45 for irradiating the photofixing thermal recording layer with electromagnetic wave having a unique wavelength subjected to quantity of light modulation thus deactivating the photofixing thermal recording layer corresponding with each color imagewise, and a thermal recording means 37 for applying the photofixing thermal recording material 33 with thermal energy lower than the minimum thermal energy required for developing color in the thermal recording layer and subjected to quantity of heat modulation with reference to a heat energy for developing color in the photofixing thermal recording layer thus developing color imagewise in the thermal recording layer and developing color at the part of the photofixing thermal recording layer not deactivated.