A thermal recording apparatus comprises a thermal recording head supported for movement right towards and away from an intermediate transfer drum. The intermediate transfer drum has a peripheral surface formed with an ink transfer layer of silicone rubber and is supported to be rotated in one direction successively past a recording station at which the thermal recording head is positioned and a transfer station at which an inked image transported by the intermediate transfer drum is transferred onto a recording paper. A heating lamp is installed coaxially inside the intermediate transfer drum for heating the ink transfer layer to a predetermined unique temperature so that the inked image formed on the intermediate transfer drum at the recording station can be transferred onto the recording paper at the transfer station to complete a recording of an image on the recording paper.
