PURPOSE: To obtain a thermal recording material having high sensitivity and excellent in image reproducibility and head matching properties by providing an undercoat layer based on microcapsules containing a hot-melt substance between the support and color forming layer of the thermal recording material.

CONSTITUTION: In a thermal recording material wherein a color forming layer based on an electron donating color former and an electron acceptive coupler is provided on a support, an undercoat layer based on microcapsules containing a hot-melt substance is provided between the support and the color forming layer. By providing the undercoat layer between the support and the color forming layer and imparting endothermic effect to the underocat layer, it is prevented that the excessive heat from a thermal head is transmitted to the support and the sticking or the adhesion of refuse caused by the application of excessive heat energy is eliminated and color forming senstivity is enhanced and printing reproducibility is good even in the case of high speed recording and a sharp image is obtained.