PURPOSE: To provide an ink ribbon ensuring excellent resolution and favorable current efficiency, by periodically changing the construction of a conductor layer in a direction parallel or orthogonal to an electrode array on a head.

CONSTITUTION: An ink ribbon comprises a base film 1 serving as a resistor layer, a conductor layer 2 and an ink layer 3, the conductor layer 2 being locally provided at a predetermined period between the resistor layer 1 and the ink layer 3. With a voltage according to an image signal supplied through a signal electrode array 4, an electric current flows from the signal electrode 4 to a return circuit electrode 5 through the resistor layer 1 and the conductor layer 2. As a result, the resistor layer 1 generates heat, whereby an ink of the ink layer is melted or sublimed, and the melted or sublimed ink is transferred onto a recording paper, thereby recording an image. A means for bringing the electrode 5 into direct contact with the conductor layer 2 is constituted of a metallic member provided with a stiff projection, a conductive rubber roller or the like. When a signal voltage is impressed on electrodes 4-1, 4-3, 4-5, 4-7 in the electrode array 4, electric currents flow concentratedly through conductor layer parts beneath these electrodes, and heat is generated concentratedly at upper parts of the conductor layer parts, whereby small and clear dots can be recorded.