PURPOSE:To make it possible to printing image data and character data on a recording paper, by providing a means for identifying whether an inputted signal is character data or image data, and providing a thermal transfer ink sheet with both a sublimable-type ink layer for recording the image data and a melting-type ink sheet for recording the character data. CONSTITUTION:An inputted signal is identified by an identifying part 20. When the signal is image data, a thermal transfer ink sheet 2 is fed, and the leading end of a yellow ink 2Y is detected by a color sensor 16. Then, a recording paper 1 is fed at the same velocity as that of the ink sheet 2, and transfer of an image in the yellow ink 2Y is conducted. When the transfer is finished, the paper 1 is returned, and the ink sheet 2 is fed. When the leading end of a magenta ink 2M is detected, transfer of an image in the magenta ink 2M is similarly conducted. When the transfer is finished, a similar operation is repeated to transfer an image in a cyan ink 2C, whereby printing of the image data is completed. When the inputted signal is character data, the ink sheet 2 is fed, and when the leading end of a black ink 2B is detected, the paper 1 is fed at the same velocity as that of the ink sheet 2, transfer of characters is conducted, and printing of the character data is completed.