PURPOSE: To provide a transfer image in which density is high and gradation property is large by constituting one picture element of the transfer image of a plurality of minute dots and changing the number of a plurality of minute dots to set up the area of the picture element and changing the density of the dot constituting the picture element and setting up the transfer density.

CONSTITUTION: Recording material is constituted by providing a coloring material layer 2 and a coloring material barrier layer 3 in this order on a supporting body 1. In the recording material, the coloring material barrier layer 3 is stencilized in an image shape and thereafter superposed on the image receiving material to form a transfer image. In other words, the coloring material barrier layer 3 is exposed while controlling an exposing means for emitting light in the region of wavelength absorbed by light absorbing substance, so that the size of punch applied to the barrier layer 3 is changed in accordance with an image signal. The punched barrier layer 3 side is superposed on the image receiving layer 4 side of the image receiving material. The coloring material is transferred on the image receiving material by heating and/or pressurization and thereby the transfer image is formed. In the case, one picture element of the transfer image is constituted of a plurality of minute dots. The area of the picture element is set up by changing the number of a plurality of minute dots.