PURPOSE: To transfer letters or patterns print formed on a heat transfer film on a printing face of a matter to be transfer printed in a short time and in a good printed state.

CONSTITUTION: A matter 6 to be transfer printed is in the preheated state, and a heat transfer film 10 is overlapped on a printing face. The heat transfer film 10 is heat fixed by pressure on the printing face of the matter 6 to be transfer printed by a heat transfer head 40 to melt effectively a heat-sensitive bonding agent layer 14 of the heat transfer film 10. The heat transfer head 40 is returned to the original position, and the heat transfer film 10 is cooled by a cooling means 50. A film release member 81 is inserted between the heat transfer film 10 and the matter 6 to be transfer printed and disposed therein. The matter 6 to be transfer printed and the film release member 81 are moved relatively in parallel to release a base film of the heat transfer film 10 from one side section side of the matter 6 to be transfer printed in the single sepration state.