PURPOSE: To enhance a first printing density and to keep a sharp printing quality by a method wherein a ratio of a main solvent and a poor solvent in a mixed solvent is specified, and the mixed solvent is dried in a low temp. range with a higher poor solvent ratio and in a high temp. range with a higher main solvent ratio.

CONSTITUTION: A ratio of a main solvent and a poor solvent in a mixed solvent is determined to be 5/1-1/5. At the time of drying, the solvent is dried in the low temp. range of a drying temp. with a higher poor solvent ratio while in the high temp. range thereof with a higher main solvent range. If a main solvent ratio is higher than the above, an ink is enhanced, in retentivity but deteriorated in releasability, thus almost not being printed. On the contrary, if a poor solvent ratio is higher than the above, an ink is excessively released to be transferred at one time with increased one-time properties, thus resulting in a rough printing and a loss of retentivity. In this manner, a multi-time thermal transfer can be conducted while a recording quality is maintained.